62 Proven Workplace Wellness Program Ideas to Motivate Your Team

Many people know that sitting all day isn't good for them. But even with this knowledge, breaking the cycle and getting moving can be challenging. This is especially true in a workplace where productivity is key, and taking breaks can feel counterintuitive. Nevertheless, employees who sit all day and then return to work after a short break will be all the better. The more breaks they take, the better their health will improve and the better they will perform at work. While it’s great for individuals to make this a personal goal, it’s even better if their employer gets involved. A workplace wellness program focused on mobility can help employees who sit all day transition to better health and improved performance. This article will share practical, actionable workplace wellness program ideas like seated stretches to inspire and engage your team.  

Pliability’s mobility app can help you achieve your goals by offering targeted exercises to relieve discomfort and improve mobility so employees can return to work quickly.

What is a Workplace Wellness Program?

An employee wellness program is a structured initiative implemented by an organization to promote and support its employees' overall health and well-being. These programs enhance employees’ physical, mental, and emotional health and foster a workplace culture prioritizing holistic well-being. 

Employee wellness programs often include various activities, resources, and incentives to:
‍

• Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
• Prevent illness
• Create a positive and supportive work environment
  ‍

The overarching goal is to improve employees' overall health and productivity while fostering community and community engagement.  

Why Create an Employee Wellness Program?

By offering employee wellness programs, companies can improve the health of their employees, which, in turn, leads to benefits:

Lower Healthcare Costs

Employees participating in regular health screenings and preventative health practices are less likely to get sick. And if they get sick, they are more likely to detect and treat their illness, avoiding costly health complications. These practices are good for employees' health and reduce healthcare costs.  

A 2010 Harvard study found that, for every dollar spent on wellness programs, companies see their healthcare costs fall by $3.27 and their absentee costs drop by $2.73. Johnson & Johnson estimates that its employee wellness program saved the company $250 million in healthcare costs over a decade. 

Measurable Health Benefits

In 15 years, the number of employees who smoke dropped by nearly two-thirds, and the number of employees with high blood pressure dropped by more than half. 

Increased Employee Engagement  

Enhanced Employee Engagement

Employee wellness programs also show employees that their employer is invested in their well-being. This contributes to employee engagement, which leads to increased productivity, profitability, and lower turnover. 

Significant Contributor to Employee Satisfaction

Through employee surveys, health insurance company Point32Health has found that its employee well-being program is one of the organization's most significant contributors to employee engagement. 

“These wellness programs are contributing to a positive work environment,” Peter Church, Point32Health’s chief people officer, told Built In. “People feel valued. People feel supported. People feel cared about.” Church, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after rolling out Point32Health’s wellness program, said that companies that support their employees during times of need can deepen their relationship with employees while living up to their corporate values.

‍“The only way for us to fulfill our purpose as a company, helping people live healthier lives, is to take care of ourselves and each other.”  

Heightened Productivity

When employees are healthy, they take fewer sick days, which improves productivity. The mental health component of these programs also aims to combat burnout and absenteeism — another productivity killer. 

‍“If your employees are healthy and happy, they’re going to come to work, they’re going to do better work and they’re going to be in a better position to grow with the company,” Bridgett Hart, vice president of employee experience at customer experience outsourcing firm ibex, said. 

Reducing Workplace Stress and Improving Focus

Employee wellness programs also help employees deal with the stress they’re experiencing in their personal lives, which can cause distractions that prevent employees from reaching their full potential at work. 

‍“The more an employee is thinking about some stress or challenge in their personal life, the less focused they can be on their work,” Kevin Robertson, chief revenue officer at HSA Bank, told Built In. “It’s beneficial to the employer to help eliminate some of those distractions.”  

Attracting and Retaining Talent 

Employee wellness programs can help organizations attract and retain talent. According to a survey by Robert Half, roughly 73 percent of workers consider a company’s employee wellness program when choosing their future employer. 

‍“In a competitive labor market, companies that promote comprehensive wellness initiatives stand out to top talent, serving as a powerful recruitment tool,” Sibyl McCarley, chief people officer at HireVue, told Built In. “Candidates are drawn to organizations committed to employee health and well-being, often viewing such benefits as essential to their employment decisions.”  

Meeting the Unique Needs of Employees

When done right, employee wellness programs offer an opportunity to meet the workforce's diverse needs. Companies can use workforce analytics and employee surveys to learn what employees want from their wellness programs. Some software tools also use AI to personalize wellness benefits. 

‍“Wellness programs] need to serve up the right benefits … at just the right time for each member in ways that in the past we’ve just been unable to do,” Renya Spak, chief growth officer at personal health engagement platform Well, told Built In. 

While wellness programs should reflect the demographics of the workforce, they should also be left broad enough to be used in various ways. 

“You really need to be as broad as possible because you need to be as inclusive as possible,” Church said.  

Categories of Employee Wellness Ideas That Maximize Workplace Success

Before looking at actual employee wellness ideas, here are some of the most common categories that make up an employee wellness program:  

Mental and Emotional Wellness

Awareness of rising mental health and emotional wellness concerns has driven recent growth in employee wellness programs. According to Wellable Labs research, 24 percent of companies plan to invest more in workplace wellness programs this year. New research demonstrates the prevalence of stress and mental health concerns for employees. It highlights how they’ve affected an ability to perform at work. 

The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 59 percent of employees have experienced the negative impact of work-related stress in the past month. They’ve had difficulty focusing and/or lacking:
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• Interest
• Motivation
• Energy
• Effort
  ‍

By offering mental health services, employers demonstrate a clear commitment to employees. The employer benefits of employee wellness programs and emotional wellness tools include:
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• Increased productivity and engagement
• Reduced absenteeism and health costs
• Improved retention
  ‍

Talkspace’s research on workplace stress found that 66 percent of workers who’ve considered quitting a job might potentially stay if they were offered access to mental health services.  

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness has been a long-standing cornerstone of employee wellness programs in the workplace. Historically, one of the primary motivations for employers to invest in workplace wellness programs was reduced healthcare costs. Past studies have demonstrated that employers can realize as much as $6 in healthcare savings for every dollar invested. 

Today, employers appreciate the value of investment (VOI) as much as the ROI of their health and wellness programs. As coined by Gartner Research, VOI refers to intangible, harder-to-quantify assets that contribute to organizational performance. 

Physical wellness initiatives deliver both ROI and VOI by way of:
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• Reduced healthcare costs
• Improved employee engagement and performance
• Enhanced workplace culture
• Easier employee recruitment
• Stronger retention rates  
  ‍

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness provides education and tools to help employees improve their financial literacy and make better choices to enhance their quality of life. It can also reduce workplace stress's immediate and long-term effects on employees.

Financial Stress on Employee Well-being

According to research from BrightPlan, financial benefits are the number one most desired benefit for employees. Seventy-seven percent of these employees say financial stress impacts their mental health. Roughly half of these employees also say financial stress negatively impacts their physical health, leading to lower productivity and engagement. 

BrightPlan estimates the productivity loss from financial stress might be as much as 11.4 hours per employee per week. Most employers agree that financial wellness support can lead to more satisfied, loyal, and engaged employees while improving recruitment and retention. Making financial wellness a foundational pillar in your workplace wellness program can be a win-win.  

Generational Wellness

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to employee well-being. Generational wellness means accounting for generational differences in values and priorities. Some employers may already view generational differences within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts. Like DE&I, generational wellness is a lens employers use to inform effective workplace wellness program strategies and offerings. 

BrightPlan reports the top financial concern of 18 to 25-year-old workers is paying off debt, while the principal concern of older generations is retirement planning. It’s just one example of how generational differences might help dictate corporate wellness program planning for maximum engagement and effectiveness. 

Related Reading

‍

• Why Is Employee Wellness Important
• How to Engage Employees in Wellness Programs
• Stretching Before Work
• Team Wellness at Work
• Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs
• Virtual Wellness Activities for Employees
• Benefits of a Workplace Wellness Program
• Benefits of Stretching at Work
• Staff Wellness Activities
• Employee Wellbeing Strategies

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62 Workplace Wellness Program Ideas

1. Yoga Classes

Incorporating yoga into employees’ lives can improve their mental and physical health. Benefits include:
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• Better flexibility
• Strength
• Balance
• Concentration
  ‍

The poses of yoga can help reduce the following:
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• Physical pain
• Workplace stress
• Decrease absenteeism
  ‍

The most substantial reason for incorporating yoga into the office as a wellness program is how cost-effective it is compared to other options. Yoga doesn’t take too much time and requires very little equipment except for some mats and several willing participants. 

Simple yoga exercises and stretches can be done at the workplace for 10-20 minutes while employees reap all the essential benefits. Yoga has become a popular part of employee wellness in recent years.

2. Lunch and Snacks for Better Health

According to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, the effects of obesity and poor health costs. 

US companies have more than $225 billion per year in lost productivity. Organizations can help employees stay healthy by ensuring the company fridges, cupboards, or snack stations are stocked with nutritious foods. This way, workers can reach for healthy options instead of junk food, whether they are stressed eating or simply hungry. 

3. Financial Counseling

According to Wellable, many surveys have shown that employees are universally struggling to achieve financial well-being and are stressed out about money, leading to lower performance at work. At the same time, employers are becoming increasingly aware of how personal financial difficulty affects productivity at work and, ultimately, the company’s bottom line. 

Some of the most common symptoms of financial stress include loss of sleep, poor concentration, and reduced motivation, all of which significantly impact an employee’s standard of work. Offering financial advice and counseling to employees can positively impact their well-being and ability to focus more in the workplace.

4. Volunteer Opportunities

Employee volunteer programs are an excellent way for businesses to encourage and enable employees to give back to their communities. These programs:
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• Boost productivity
• Help employee engagement
• Increase morale
• Improve hiring and retention 
  ‍

Volunteerism within a business also brings together people from across the company and promotes teamwork, increasing employee satisfaction and a sense of belonging.

5. Wellness Challenges

When done correctly, workplace wellness challenges help employees and their close contacts establish healthy habits that reduce long-term health risks. Nevertheless, it's also essential to include challenges based on mental well-being. Promoting mental well-being reduces the risk of:
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• Anxiety
• Stress
• Loneliness
• Depression 
  ‍

Examples of Wellness Challenges:
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• Drink more water
• Meditate
• Start a journal
• Bike or walk to work
• Support small businesses
• Take the stairs
• Vegan Mondays
• 10,000 steps a day
  ‍

6. Smoking Cessation Programs

The World Health Organization calls it the ‘biggest public health threat the world has ever faced’ due to a large number of tobacco-related deaths globally every year. Nevertheless, as many as half the population of smokers desire to kick the habit. 

Of course, it’s entirely an employee’s own choice if they wish to quit smoking, but a program centered on cessation may provide the added support and incentive they’ve been missing.

7. On-Site Fitness Centers

Finding time to work out can be challenging when dealing with a full-time job. When employers offer an on-site fitness center, it allows staff to exercise without traveling out of their way to a gym. Promoting fitness is one of the most beneficial choices any employer can make to encourage their workers to reach their full potential. 

The benefits of exercise aren’t just physical. While lower blood pressure and a healthy heart are certainly a big benefit, there’s more evidence that it boosts mental abilities like enhanced creativity, improved concentration, quicker learning, and sharper memory.

8. Offer Flexible Schedules and/or Remote Work

Offering flexible work schedules and the opportunity to work remotely from home can help your employees reduce stress and create a better work-life balance. When employees don't have to worry about how they will balance the needs of their family and their work schedule, it helps them become more focused and productive while at work. 

Benefits like flexible schedules and remote work also help boost employee morale and maintain high retention.

9. Employee Activity Clubs (e.g., Walking, Bicycling)

Establishing employee activity clubs encourages physical fitness and camaraderie among colleagues. These clubs can organize regular walks, bike rides, or other group exercises, fostering a sense of community while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

10. On-Site Gardening

Creating on-site gardening spaces allows employees to connect with nature and engage in a relaxing and fulfilling activity. Gardening has proven benefits for mental health, stress reduction, and improved well-being, making it an excellent addition to workplace employee wellness.

11. On-Site Individual or Group Counseling

Offering on-site counseling services gives employees access to professional support for their mental health needs. Whether through individual sessions or group therapy, this initiative demonstrates an organization's commitment to supporting employees' emotional well-being and creating a safe and inclusive work environment.

12. Remote Working

Embracing remote work options enables employees to enjoy a flexible work environment, eliminating commuting stress and increasing autonomy over their work schedules. Remote work can enhance work-life balance and reduce burnout, improving employee well-being and satisfaction.

13. Celebrating Employee Success

Recognizing and celebrating employee achievements fosters a positive and motivating work environment. From acknowledging individual accomplishments to team milestones, regular celebrations create a sense of appreciation and inspire a culture of success.

14. Make Nutritional Snacks and Water More Available

Many employees snack at their desks throughout the workday. By offering only nutritional snacks and water, your company will help encourage employees to consider healthier snacking choices and to drink more water. 

You can offer various snack options, such as fruits, vegetables, and granola. You can also try unique offerings less often, like:
‍

• Catered lunches
• Hosting cooking classes
  ‍

Asking employees to contribute their favorite nutritional recipes to create an office cookbook. Besides helping employees make better food choices, these activities can also help boost employee engagement and morale.

15. Encourage Employees to Keep Up with Preventative Care

Routine preventative care is one of the best ways employees can maintain their health and overall well-being. Preventative care includes physicals, wellness check-ups and routine vaccinations. 

You can encourage your employees to keep up with their preventative care by offering health fairs that screen for potential health risks and providing on-site flu shots during flu season. Anything you can do to prevent your employees from becoming ill will reduce workplace absenteeism and improve employee productivity.

16. Establish an Employee Assistance Program

Your employees' mental and emotional health are important aspects of their overall wellbeing, and you’ll also want your wellness program to help in this regard. One of the most popular things employers include in their employee wellness programs is an employee assistance program (EAP). 

These programs are designed to provide employees with easy, low-cost, or free access to mental health providers, such as counselors and therapists, as needed.

17. Create an Ergonomic Office Environment

An ergonomic office environment can help make employees more comfortable at work and reduce pain and workplace injuries. You can create an ergonomic office environment by providing employees with ergonomic chairs, desks that convert from standing to sitting, ergonomic office equipment like raised keyboards, and education about ergonomics.

18. Foster a Collaborative and Fun Work Environment

Fostering work environments encouraging employees to work and play together can help boost office morale, create a team environment, and improve employee engagement and productivity. You can do this by offering flexible seating arrangements that encourage employees to sit close together or by creating a fun break room where employees can:
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• Watch TV
• Play games
• Relax
  ‍

19. Have Areas Where Employees Can Relieve Stress

Every office environment needs an area where employees can go to relieve stress. This area could be as simple as a small, private office area that is decorated in a manner that provides a relaxing environment where employees can:
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• Meditate
• Read a book
• Take a short break
  ‍

20. Allow Employees to Bring Pets to Work

This benefit is increasing in popularity, especially among smaller businesses. Most people consider their pets to be a members of their families. Allowing employees to bring their pets to work can improve their mental health and help boost employee morale throughout your office. 

You can start small by allowing employees to have a fish at their desks or by offering a "Bring Your Pet to Work Day" a few times a year.

21. Incorporate Employee Incentives

You must maximize employee participation to maximize your return on investment in your employee wellness program. One way to do this is by offering incentives that motivate employees to take part in different parts of your employee wellness program. Examples of incentives you can offer are bonuses, gift cards, and an extra vacation day.

22. Healthy Meal and Snack Subscriptions

For remote employees, explore partnering with meal delivery services to offer healthy eating options. Ensure the cafeteria or kitchen is stocked with nutritious snack options for office workers. Consider offering subsidies or discounts to make these options more accessible.

23. Therapy

In Talkspace and Columbia University research, online therapy employees reported feeling more productive, energized, and engaged at work. Additionally, they had 50% fewer hours of missed work and a 36% increase in productivity. Other significant benefits include more excellent work-life balance and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

24. Wellness Newsletter

A wellness newsletter can serve as a valuable resource, delivering informative content on various aspects of well-being. It can include tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, mindfulness exercises, nutrition advice, and updates on wellness initiatives within the organization, keeping employees engaged and informed.

25. Vaccination Clinics

Hosting on-site vaccination clinics or providing employees with information and resources can encourage proactive healthcare practices. By facilitating easy access to vaccinations, organizations demonstrate a commitment to employee health and contribute to a safer and more protected work environment.

26. Standing Desks

Standing desks as an alternative to traditional seating arrangements promotes better posture, reduces sedentary behavior, and increases physical activity throughout the workday. Standing desks have been associated with improved focus, energy levels, and overall well-being.

27. Virtual Exercise Challenges

Virtual exercise challenges leverage technology to engage employees in fitness activities regardless of physical location. These challenges can involve:
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• Step tracking
• Virtual workouts
• Wellness app competitions
• Promoting physical activity
• Fostering camaraderie among remote teams
  ‍

28. Employee Recognition Programs

Employees who feel undervalued are likely to disengage and seek employment elsewhere. Overcome those adverse effects by regularly recognizing employee contributions. Seventy-five percent of employees agree that their employee morale and motivation would improve if managers simply said, “Thank you,” and acknowledged good work. 

Employers that make recognition part of their culture are likelier to have happy, engaged, and productive employees. According to RewardGateway, 91% of HR professionals agree recognition positively impacts employee retention.

29. Maternity and Paternity Leave

In most countries, new parents enjoy paid leave. In the U.S., many parents either don’t have those benefits or feel uncomfortable using all of them. Allowing employees to recover from birth and bond with their babies without worrying about job security will support mental, physical, and financial wellness while reducing stress.

30. Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a popular wellness benefit for healthy employees. After all, who doesn’t love a work-day massage? Bringing corporate chair masseuses can do more than just relax and de-stress employees. 

Massage therapy is an excellent form of stress reduction that can lift a team’s spirits and generate goodwill. Offering it to employees can improve their engagement, productivity, and retention.

31. Wearable Fitness Devices

Wearable fitness devices are one of the newer wellness ideas for employees. Younger employees are more likely to embrace well-tech solutions. Cater to their needs by offering options that fit their lifestyle and an increased comfortability with technology. 

A perfect example would be partial reimbursement for a wearable sleep-tracking device to help Millennials manage the sleep challenges affecting their health and work performance. Employers can expect increased engagement and productivity from employees who get adequate sleep.

32. Walking Meetings

Some employee wellness program ideas work for any organization, and this is one of them. Every company can implement walking meetings, even small organizations with a virtual workforce. Get the blood flowing by taking your next one-on-one meeting to go! Employees are often so busy with work that they must make time for fitness breaks. 

Walking meetings are an easy break from sedentary office routines, especially for remote employees who sit at their desks all day. They’re especially conducive to brainstorming and strategy sessions. Your phone has all the apps you need to take your meetings mobile. 

33. Fitness Center and Gym Memberships

Not every employer can offer an on-site fitness center, but it’s easy to provide gym memberships to employees. Make it easy for employees to reduce stress and maintain their health by working out regularly. Workout benefits can improve:
‍

• Employee engagement and productivity
• Company culture
• Recruitment
• Retention
  ‍

34. Accessible PTO

One of the most important things employers can include in a wellness program is PTO for employees to attend health screenings and take time off when they’re sick or need a mental health day. Often, employees don’t feel they can take advantage of benefits like sick days, vacations, or even breaks. 

Not taking enough time off is directly associated with employee burnout. Offering generous PTO and consistently modeling that your organization expects everyone to take advantage of their benefits can support employee mental health and positively impact engagement, productivity, and retention.

35. Office Sports Teams

Sports teams can be an excellent outlet for employees to engage in physical activity while strengthening bonds with co-workers and your organization. Help coordinate signups and reserve spaces for games and practice. Workplace sports teams enhance company culture, support recruitment and retention, and encourage employee health and wellness.

36. Healthy Catered Meals

If you can’t have an on-site cafeteria, a second-best option is offering healthy catered meals to workers. Make it a Wednesday tradition, or reward employees working overtime on a project. Either way, employees will be grateful that you fed them and provided a healthier option than the food truck outside. 

You can also consider installing on-site vending machines with healthy snacks. Employers offering healthy catered meals can expect an uptick in employee morale, engagement, and productivity. Prioritizing healthy eating and providing food supports company culture, recruitment, and retention.

37. Offer Two-Minute Stretch Breaks

Brief stretches rejuvenate employees working long hours at their laptops. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Backbend with palms on hips.
• Neck stretches side to side.
• Standing leg stretches using a stool
  ‍

38. Fun Workout Routine Posters

Eye-catching motivational posters and images effectively remind employees to stay active and healthy.

Ways to do it:
‍

• Hang quality posters in high-visibility areas
• Include inspirational quotes from celebrities
• Print and display in the office gym.
  ‍

39. Flu Shot Programs

Annual on-site or sponsored flu shots keep employees healthy and protected. These are a smart investment to reduce viruses and keep your workforce healthy and productive. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Arrange free on-site clinics or provide vouchers.
• Create policies to prevent influenza exposure.
• Promote the program via email, newsletter, and flyers
• Explain the dangers of flu and the convenience of workplace shots.
  ‍

40. Incredible Health and Wellness Vision Board

A vision board with inspiring images and quotes boosts employee accountability and goal progress. Vision boards keep employees focused on attaining their wellness objectives. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Gather relevant visuals and phrases.
• Craft an uplifting central message.
• Set realistic timeframes to track achievement.
• According to the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, employees who used vision boards reported a 42% increase in productivity after 6 months.
  ‍

41. Organize A Spectacular Health Fair

A fun fair builds excitement and awareness for new wellness initiatives. Wellness fairs engage and educate employees on vital health issues and company initiatives. Ways to do it: Offer interactive activities like massages and photo booths to keep people engaged during wait times 

Get local health vendors, gyms, and insurance companies to sponsor and provide services. Incentivize employees with wellness products like yoga mats and water bottles.

Pick a creative theme to market your fair and focus the activities.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 76% of employees feel more positive about their employer after attending a workplace health fair.

42. Promote Corporate Wellness Apps

Corporate wellness apps equip organizations with tools and the latest technology. It motivates employees to establish and maintain healthy lifestyle choices. Wellness apps drive engagement by making programs accessible, organized, and easy to sustain. For example, Vantage Fit, a mobile-first corporate wellness app, boosts employee physical activity. 

According to Forbes, workplaces with wellness apps see gym attendance increase by 33% and daily average steps rise by 27%.

43. Standing Desks

Standing desks allow employees to alternate between sitting and standing, reducing back pain and discomfort from prolonged positions. Standing desks boost wellness and comfort while working. 

Ways to do it:

Purchase affordable, stylish options from Amazon or IKEA Craft DIY standing desks on a budget. According to the BMC Public Health, standing desks reduce sedentary time at work by up to 66%.

44. Invest In Desks Bikes

Modern offices and workplaces have come a long way in recent years. After embracing ergonomic furniture, bike desks are a new wellness trend. It is fun and benefits employees' health in two ways: It tones your calf muscles. It enhances mood and productivity. 

45. On-Site Zumba Activities

Zumba helps to tone the body structure and reduces the pressure on joints. It is the perfect way to get your workforce in shape. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Provide online Zumba fitness sessions.
• Provide subscription to Zumba Classes.
• Host Zumba sessions at the office.
  ‍

According to the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, Zumba classes burn 400-600 calories per 40-minute session on average.

46. Offer Fitness Testing

Medical fitness testing is essential for employees in some industries, such as construction. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Conduct employee fitness assessments
• Tie up with certified fitness organizations.
  ‍

According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, employees who get regular fitness assessments are 51% more likely to lower blood pressure and body fat.

47. Encourage Isometric Exercises

Isometric exercise is a simple and easy to build strength, endurance, and healthy muscles. These exercises need zero equipment. You can perform them in the gym, at home, at work, or on the road to progress toward your fitness goals. Ways To Do It: Start with a 7 – 10 second hold. Perform isometric lunges, squats, and push-ups.

48. One on One Session with Nutritionists

Workplace nutritionists help employees:
‍

• Overhaul diets
• Manage conditions
• Improve food choices
• Discover healthier recipes
  ‍

Workplace Nutrition Counselling helps employees get rid of their unhealthy eating habits. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Book a nutrition consultant.
• Look out for websites that offer free diet counseling.
  ‍

According to the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, employees who consulted virtual nutritionists lost 6% more weight over 6 months than those without nutritional counseling.

49. Offer Tele-Health

Telehealth allows individuals to: Diagnose and detect changes in their medical conditions, Check vital health signs and Book Remote consultations and treatment.

50. Surprise Courier With Healthy Snack Boxes

Healthy surprises include nutritious products such as snack boxes or a complete course meal. It is a unique gift idea that showcases the spirit of wellness and trust. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Partner with a corporate snack supplier.
• Create signature healthy snack boxes.
  ‍

According to the Appetite Journal, healthy snack deliveries increased the consumption of fruits and vegetables by as much as 39%.

51. Organize Fun Games Sessions Before Work

Interactive games lighten up remote routines and build connections. Virtual games spark joy and unite teams before the workday. Lighten up the regular work-from-home routine by playing some fun games. 

Ways to do it:
‍

• Share a personal photo and story.
• Play Pictionary and compare drawings.
• Describe images for others to sketch.
  ‍

According to Yale Psychological Research, casual online games before work are linked to 12% higher happiness levels throughout the workday.

52. Arrange Dedicated Helpline Services

Even after ensuring measures to engage remote workers, managers should keep themselves flexible and available 24/7 to reach out to their valuable employees. Availing them on helpline platforms like call, email, or video conferencing. Attending to any queries can help them connect better with the institutions. 

According to the Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24/7 employee support helplines decrease absenteeism by 19% in workers with emotional distress.

53. Uncompromised Breaks

This absence of structured breaks can leave employees feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of enduring extended work hours. So encouraging breaks without any terms and conditions is essential. It will give them room to unplug from work.

54. Cycle to Work Scheme

This challenge invites team members to forego driving to work in favor of biking. Ask employees to cycle or bike one day per week for six weeks. Not only is biking better for the environment, but it's also a great way to get moving and stay fit. 

According to the International Journal of Obesity, regular bike commuters are up to 45% less likely to be overweight or obese.

55. Organize A 5 Km Run Challenge

Sign up teams to train for a 5K run, sparking healthy competition. Tracking progress and earning fitness points keeps employees motivated. Completing the 5K goal boosts cardiovascular health and forges bonds through sweat and grit. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, running just 5 kilometers per week may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 45%.

56. Step It Up Challenge

Do your employees feel a lazy afternoon slump at work? Taking the stairs is the best way to pump up for the day. Invite employees to take the stairs instead of the elevator every day for 30 days. Keep a chart at the top of the stairs where participants can put a checkmark every time they take the stairs. Reward wellness incentives or offer them a healthy lunch. 

According to the Harvard Medical School, taking the stairs instead of the elevator burns up to 8 calories per flight.

57. Weight Loss Challenge

Launch a team weight loss challenge to ignite fitness goals. Collective spirit propels healthier lifestyles. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, workplace weight loss challenges encourage over 75% of participants to continue dieting and exercising after the challenge ends.

58. Install a Healthy Vending Machine

Satisfying, energizing snacks like salads, breakfast pots, and vegan treats make smart eating effortless. Nutritious vending machine choices curb cravings and boost workplace productivity. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, employers who offer healthy vending options report up to 26% higher participation in wellness programs.

59. Catchy Healthy Cooking Flyers and Brochures

Flyers and brochures come in handy when marketing your wellness initiatives. You can curate all the quick tips and ideas about healthy recipes and wellness FAQs.

60. Online Degrees And Certifications

Offer your employees some certifications or courses while they are doing their job. This way, employees will enhance their academic profile. It also benefits your organization without losing talent for higher education. You can refer to some reputed organizations like Coursera, Udemy, or edX. They offer different courses from standard universities and reputed educators.

61. Provide Professional Training

Empower your team with professional training opportunities for career development and workplace skills. Collaborate with experts to design sessions aligned with your objectives. This fosters a culture of growth and continuous improvement within your organization. 

According to the Journal of Workplace Learning, employees who participate in virtual training sessions show a 39% greater increase in skill development than those who train in person.

62. Offer Spa and Massages

Treat your top performers to soothing spa experiences with occasional massage coupons. Take it a step further by bringing a massage therapist on-site to offer complimentary 15-minute massages to all staff weekly. 

According to the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, employees who received monthly virtual massage vouchers were 15% less likely to call out sick.

Related Reading

‍

• Workplace Stretching
• Wellness Incentive Programs
• Stretching Exercises for Warehouse Workers
• Company Wellness Programs
• Successful Corporate Wellness Programs
• Employee Wellness Software
• Employee Wellness Program Ideas
• Corporate Wellness Initiatives
• Employee Wellbeing App
• Corporate Mobility Services
• Corporate Wellness Services

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How to Design and Run an Employee Wellness Program

An internal pulse survey is a great way to determine what wellness programs your employees want and would value. You can ask questions like:
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• What are your health goals?
• Is conducting wellness programs during office hours helpful?
• Could we do more to support you with your physical and mental health?
• If so, how?
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on designing an employee survey, including examples of survey topic areas.

Leadership Support: Get the Big Boss on Board

Your employee wellness program will only work with support from the leadership team. Building and launching a successful employee wellness program takes time, money, and resources. Leadership buy-in is critical for funding purposes, guidance, getting support throughout the organization, and approving program policies and processes. 

Appoint Well-being Champions: Create a Team to Lead Your Program

Create an internal well-being champions team to lead your program and build a wellness culture in the organization. Make sure that management sets clear and measurable objectives and supports them with a budget. Here are some responsibilities of the wellness champions’ team:
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• Evaluating the current workplace programs and policies.
• Assessing employee needs and preferences.
• Developing a wellness program plan and process (which includes a vision statement, goals, objectives, and activities).
• Monitoring and evaluating the wellness program.
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Establish a Budget: Wellness Programs Need Financial Support

It’s a critical step. Without a sufficient budget, the program will stall. While creating a wellness budget, include the cost of:
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• Incentives or rewards
• Activities
• Marketing
• Program design 
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Decide Wellness Program Incentives and Rewards: Get Employees Excited

Incentives or rewards are practical tools to increase participation rates and encourage individuals to complete a program. You can offer reward points that can be exchanged for:
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• Shopping
• Gifts
• Food
• Monetary awards 
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Communication: Get the Word Out

It’s time to write and communicate the organization’s wellness policy. Well-executed wellness programs require exceptional employee communication. You can create a dedicated wellness program webpage, signage, and posters in the office. Use flyer maker and poster templates to create visually compelling posters and flyers that effectively communicate your company’s wellness policy. 

To create a lead-generating webpage, you need to know how to develop a website, at least in general terms. This knowledge will enable you to avoid costly mistakes and speed up the delivery.

Alternatively, you can create a document with all the information and send it to your company-wide Slack channel. Also, appoint a dedicated team to answer your employees' questions or concerns. Keep posting new program updates in the Slack channel, company-wide newsletter, and emails. 

Evaluating the Results of the Program: Are We There Yet?

Did employee health improve? Are your employees happier or happier in the office? What’s the program participation rate? Program completion rates? Healthcare cost reduction? Evaluating the results of your employee wellness program can answer all your questions. It’s the only way to determine if it’s working and understand what you can do to improve the results.

Related Reading

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• Corporate Wellness Companies
• Calm Alternative
• Office Chair Stretches
• Best Stretches For Office Workers
• Desk Exercises At Work
• Sprout Alternatives
• Best Corporate Wellness Software
• Stretches For Warehouse Workers
• Companies With Employee Wellness Programs

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