Wellness: It’s more than health screenings and smoking-cessation programs

When you think of employee benefits, health care often comes to mind. But there’s so much more to overall employee well-being than just physical health.  

As an employer, what else can you offer besides health insurance to improve employee wellness? Here are three areas where employees could be struggling and what you can do to help, courtesy of our friends at BenefitsPro:

1) Financial health. Some employees spend more time stressing over their financial problems than their personal health. A high majority of employees are financially stressed, feeling like they have low pay and high work-loads. These employees don’t have financial plans and don’t know how to manage their money.

Solution: Try offering financial wellness programs to alleviate employee stress. Seminars on building emergency funds, meeting financial goals and saving for retirement will be a huge help.

2) Social health. This is another component of employee well-being. If employees don’t feel like they’re connected at work, their motivation and productivity will decrease.

Solution: Employers can facilitate company activities such as holiday parties or events that celebrate employees’ achievements. Also, a casual work environment will ensure employees are comfortable collaborating and interacting with each other. If employees make social bonds at work, they’re more likely to stay engaged and invest more in the company.

3) Emotional health. Financial worry isn’t the only stress workers are battling. Many employees are under a lot of pressure at both home and work.

Solution: If your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), remind them of all the benefits that are at their disposal. Another angle: Give people time to re-charge. Allow employees to take a mental break by working from home, having long lunches and taking vacation days. They’ll be more engaged and productive when they return.

Focusing on financial, social and emotional health will boost employees’ overall physical health.

The best part: Creating programs for your employees will boost their morale, engagement and productivity at work, and you’ll save time and money in the long run.