What Is An Employee Wellness Program?
Employee wellness programs, also frequently referred to as worksite wellness programs or employee well-being programs, have no official definition. It commonly refers to a collection of initiatives within an organization to promote healthy lifestyles among employees, and in some cases, spouses and dependents of employees. There are numerous types of initiatives that, if implemented, would qualify as an employee wellness program. These initiatives address different areas, or dimensions, or well-being.
Dimensions Of Well-Being
The notion of wellness is frequently associated with gym memberships or green smoothies, limiting the scope to just physical well-being. In reality, well-being is a result of complex interactions among many dimensions that, when nurtured in harmony, improve health and quality of life. Effective wellness programs are ones addressing and promoting holistic dimensions of well-being. Below are eight common dimensions of well-being that can be addressed through a workplace program.
Physical
While commonly thought of the aesthetic of being fit, physical well-being actually encompasses the smooth running of all physical bodily functions. This includes the skeletomuscular system as in the case of fitness, but also the digestive, circulatory, and other systems. Physical wellness is arguably the easiest dimension to promote in employee wellness programs due to its ubiquity and people’s familiarity to the concept. Initiatives addressing anything from exercising to nutrition to sleep fall under the umbrella of physical wellness.
Emotional
Emotional wellness refers to one’s ability to manage their own emotions and effectively express it to others. Being emotionally well is more than just the ability to handle stress; it also involves being attentive to one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, whether positive or negative. A closely related concept is mental health. The WHO defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Mental health encompasses all aspects of emotional and psychological well-being, affecting how an individual acts, thinks, and feels. There are many tools organizations can use to effectively enhance employee mental health and emotional well-being.
Financial
Financial wellness commonly refers to one’s financial stability, which is a function of income, expenses, and debts owed. Financial wellness can also be defined as being in a place where an individual is spending and saving money thoughtfully and their behaviors and thinking around personal finances contribute positively to their short-term and long-term goals. Achieving this state requires financial literacy, which is where employers can be of assistance.
Social
Social wellness can be thought of as the state of one’s personal social network. As a social species, humans depend on one another and their well-being critically depends on a sense of belonging. Wellness programs can be designed to promote positive social interactions, boost team cohesion, and improve engagement.
Occupational
Occupational wellness describes an individual’s satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment with their work. Factors such as work-life balance and professional development play a significant role in determining one’s occupational wellness. While occupational well-being is not commonly discussed in the framework of wellness programs, it is, in fact, a crucial piece of the puzzle since it influences other dimensions of wellness such as mental and financial health. For example, long-term job dissatisfaction is a known trigger for stress. Initiatives that aim to address occupational wellness, in this sense, fall under the umbrella of wellness programs and should be coordinated accordingly. Also, occupational well-being is an important driver of value for employee wellness programs as companies are increasingly focused on recruitment and retention benefits from their programs.
Purpose
Being and feeling well includes having values and beliefs that provide purpose in life, which allows an individual to feel at peace and in harmony with themselves and others. It also includes the ability to stay open-minded to others’ beliefs. This dimension of well-being is often referred to as spiritual well-being. Addressing purpose in wellness programs can be tricky since it is an individualized journey. However, raising awareness of this important dimension can help employees become more purposeful and satisfied with their lives, both professionally and personally.
Intellectual
Intellectual well-being refers to the active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. When a person is intellectually well, they continuously work on expanding their knowledge and skills, which lead to a more stimulating and successful life. Organizations can nurture intellectual well-being by promoting creativity, curiosity, and life-long learning.
Environmental
Climate change isn’t just a matter of keeping the planet habitable for future generations or merely a topic for environmentalists. It has very real health risks for individuals across the globe, which makes it bad for business and an important cause for employers to champion. Organizations can play their part by promoting sustainable living, raising awareness, and implementing sustainable operations as a part of their wellness program. Although small changes in sustainability amongst a few individuals is hard to recognize in a community or across the globe, they do make an impact. For immediate results, employers can focus on the work environment (e.g., office air quality), which is within their locus of control.