The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that over 50 million employees have access to workplace wellness programs. If you’re looking to launch one, you may be wondering how these programs differ from more traditional employee benefits packages, many of which include health insurance and mental health resources.
Though both can help employees improve health outcomes, they do so in vastly different ways. Discover how wellness programs stack up against traditional benefits and how both may play a role in ensuring your employees are at their best each day.
Traditional Benefits vs. Wellness Programs: What Are the Differences?
Many employees are familiar with standard benefits packages. Though these often include resources that address employees’ health, they differ from true wellness programs in a variety of ways, including:
- Traditional benefits may be part of the core employee compensation package, while wellness programs are often considered supplementary
- Traditional benefits programs typically have a wider scope, encompassing areas such as finances, work-life balance, and physical health
- Traditional benefits tend to address immediate needs for treatment or time off, while wellness programs are focused on long-term health habits
- Traditional benefits provide resources, while wellness programs are all about educating and motivating employees to take advantage of those resources
Though wellness programs often have a different purpose and goal from traditional employee benefits, they can work in tandem to help you build a thriving workforce.
Why an Employee Wellness Initiative Is the Perfect Pair for a Traditional Benefits Program
While some expect additional employee compensation in the form of a traditional benefits program, wellness programs are often viewed as going above and beyond. Having one lets your employees know that you’re not just doing the bare minimum to keep them on board. It shows them that you also truly value and care about them beyond the office.
Still, employee wellness programs can have benefits inside the office as well. For example, they can lead to better overall health for your employees, which can, in turn, prevent burnout and increase productivity and focus. Having more health-conscious employees can also lead to a reduction in absenteeism and insurance spending for your business, both of which positively impact your bottom line.
Finally, wellness programs that focus on education can help inform employees about how to maximize their benefits. This may increase employees’ positive feelings about their benefits packages and help them see them as valuable to their lives.
Building an Employee Wellness Program That Complements Your Benefits Offerings
Building an effective employee wellness program can seem daunting, but it is doable with the right approach. Consider these key tips for ensuring your efforts produce the best possible outcomes.
Evaluate Your Current Benefits
Take stock of what employee benefits you already offer to your team. Then, identify gaps by pinpointing areas where those existing benefits may fall short. This will help you avoid wasting resources by adding elements to your benefits program that your employees may not need.
Define Clear Goals
To know whether your employee wellness program is working, you must have a clear understanding of your goals. Do you want to boost engagement? Are you concerned about employees’ stress levels?
Make sure to write down the improvements you want to see as a result of your wellness program and allow those goals to guide its development.
Consider a Holistic Approach
Many wellness programs focus exclusively on physical health. For instance, you may offer gym membership discounts, healthy snacks, or a fitness challenge.
However, it’s crucial to remember that wellness is about more than just physical health. Think about offering mental, financial, social, and even occupational wellness resources to help employees work toward lasting change.
Start Small and Engage Employees
You don’t have to do everything at once. It can be beneficial to begin with a pilot program to test initiatives, evaluate program performance, and make tweaks as needed.
Seek feedback and engage your employees in both the planning and implementation phases, as this fosters a sense of ownership and ensures you’re offering exactly what they need and want.
Create a Wellness Program Your Employees Will Love
While many HR pros and business owners have become experts in employee compensation packages, building a wellness program may present a new and exciting challenge you haven’t tackled before. Having the right help and resources can make all the difference as you strive to offer something that will be helpful and effective.
Fortunately, our team at Benefits Advisory Group has deep knowledge and experience in crafting tailored programs to assist you in achieving that goal. Contact us today to see how we can help you design a solution that works for your team.