Why your business needs to seriously consider a tailored wellbeing program
We’ve all heard about workplace wellbeing programs but why should 2023 be the year that your business designs or revises a tailored program?
This may seem to be a loaded question but in light of the fact that the workplace landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, so have employee expectations.
Recent studies have shown that employees are now focused on holistic wellbeing with an equal emphasis on work fulfilment, relationships and health (both physical and mental). For example, PWC’s 2021 report into the Future of Work found employees were after Rewards (25%) which encompasses pay, salary packaging and discounts; and Wellbeing (22%) which included lifestyle incentives like perks, mental health support, wellness and lifestyle benefits, and financial support. Simply put, employees want a balanced lifestyle where they feel happy, energized and efficient.
In such a competitive labour market, employers now have to think outside the square when it comes to their employment offering especially now that people are more conscious about what they want from their job aside from financial wellbeing. But it’s not all one sided - a good wellbeing program can help engage staff, increase productivity and loyalty, optmise performance, reduce absenteeism and stress, retain current staff and of course, attract new staff. It can also help to create a strong workplace culture.
When designing a strong wellbeing program, is in important that the business makes a commitment to their offering and communicates that offering effectively. The wellbeing program needs to be accessible to the entire workforce and promoted at any and every opportunity the business has to do so. The program also needs to be flexible and responsive to workforce demands and changes
So, what does a wellbeing program actually look like? It’s a holistic approach to wellbeing that includes policies, programs, experiences and activities, and other non-compensatory benefits alongside a competitive salary. The framework could look something like this:
How can you implement a great wellbeing program into your business?
It starts from the top! Get endorsement and commitment from key business stakeholders
Start a project group from across all areas of the business and develop a clear project plan
Think of strategies to communicate to the business – get everyone excited! And continue to communicate until (and after) launch!
Audit current initiatives and policies – what is missing from a holistic wellbeing program? Is the program cohesive?
Conduct a workplace survey – are there any problems that need to be fixed?
Get back to that project plan – it probably needs to be updated following feedback from the business
What are the goals? I.e., What do your employees need and want?
What are the objectives in relation to the goals?
What strategies will you implement to complete the objective?
What resources do you need to get the program off the ground?
Launch your program. Make a big deal of it because it is a big deal! How and when are you going to promote it and what collateral do you need?
Monitor the program. What’s working and what isn’t? What needs to be changed? Please note that you must be realistic with your touch points – it will take time for employees to adopt, use and see the benefits of a wellbeing program.
Continue to communicate the advantages of the wellbeing program – use it as part of your talent acquisition strategy, embed it into your onboarding program, regularly communicate the program at every opportunity, celebrate the benefits (perhaps via case studies?)
Get continued support from management and business leaders to promote the program
Need some assistance in designing a great wellbeing program or reviewing your current offering? Contact HRAnywhere on 1300 208 828 or info@hranywhere.com.au and we can work with you to develop and implement a program tailored specifically for your business.