When a candidate interviews for a new job, benefits, salary, and commute are important factors when deciding between multiple offers. In recent years, recruiters are finding workplace wellness has been added to the list. Employees want to work at an organization that makes employee well-being a priority, according to Recruiterbox.
When the concept of workplace wellness was first introduced, many companies offered on-site gyms, nutrition-counseling, and smoking cessation programs. Today, Recruiterbox claims the most attractive wellness programs go beyond physical health to address mental health, company culture, and career development.
Health-inspired employee programs are a “new talent value proposition,” says Mike Maniccia, specialist leader for Deloitte Los Angeles location in an interview with Workforce. Now that millennials are the majority of the talent pool, convincing them your company is the right place for them will be easier if you are offering an attractive wellness program.
Wellness program success is largely dependent on participation at the leadership level. Leaders who actively participate find 83 percent of their employees to be satisfied with the program, and 85 percent feel positive organizational support exists in their workplace. This is compared to leaders who do not actively participate (66 percent and 67 percent, respectively), according to a recent study involving the Health Enhancement Research Organization and Mercer.
A well-designed wellness program can make the difference between bringing a new employee into your organization or steering them toward a competitor, or even losing a critical member of your team to another organization, says Forbes.
With large corporations like Google and Apple offering incredible employee wellness perks such as cooking classes and on-site childcare and massages, small businesses might feel discouraged in their ability to get creative with workplace wellness. However, business can attract and retain talent even on a small budget. It’s important to utilize the resources you already have to offer a realistic program your employees actually want, says Maniccia. Incorporate benefits that target the five categories of well-being – purpose, social, financial, community, and physical.
Workplace wellness benefits to incorporate at your organization
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- Flexible schedules
- Telecommute options
- Mental health days
- Healthy lunch options in the cafeteria
- Physical and emotional wellness apps
- On-site yoga classes
- Financial counseling
Workplace wellness is now among the most important qualifiers when looking for a new job. Keep your organization’s competitive edge by working with your employees to create a program that best serves their needs. This will help keep them happy, healthy, and productive for the long-term while attracting new talent to your organization.