By Janice Bandick

“Workplace wellness” has become somewhat of a trendy phrase. With the rise in start-up companies in North America and a shortage of skilled workers, the competition for top talent has become fiercer than ever. As a result, wellness programs and other non-monetary benefits have become an increasingly popular way for organizations to position themselves as an employer of choice and endear themselves to younger employees—a target group that has expressed a willingness to accept lower wages if the company has the right reputation and offers other benefits.

Healthy Benefits Behind Wellness Programs
There are benefits to such “healthy” thinking. In addition to helping build an organization’s brand, workplace wellness programs help to improve productivity and reduce costs related to absenteeism, lost productivity, turnover, workers’ compensation, and medical and disability claims.

While there are a variety of non-monetary benefits available, ranging from on-site childminding to free meals and snacks, the primary goal of a wellness program should be to promote healthy behaviours and prevent disability and disease. While a comprehensive wellness program is not always possible due to an organization’s size or budget, there are still several things you can do to show your employees that you value their health.

Taking Wellness to Lunch
Tamara Reid, human resources coordinator at Ashton College, has been experimenting with different components of wellness programs in order to gauge their effectiveness, as well as their impact on employees.

“Over the past year we have offered lunchtime learning sessions to promote learning and development and emphasize healthy habits. During these sessions we invite one or two industry experts into the office to speak with employees about topics such as managing stress, how to set up their workspaces in an ergonomically correct way, and even how to practice yoga in their desk chairs,” Reid explains.

Chair yoga, a popular corporate class, is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced while sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support. While it is popular among seniors and the disabled, chair yoga is also a great way for employees to stretch and stay active at their desks.

Reid notes the popularity of the lunchtime sessions, which also include a healthy lunch for participating employees. “I would highly recommend that HR practitioners look into these sessions as a way to encourage employees to adopt healthier habits,” she says. “There’s no limit to the number of topics that can be covered: how to eat healthily at work, a learn-to-run club, mental health, etc. You can solicit suggestions from employees, and the sessions can be customized to suit any budget. Keep sessions entertaining but informative, and obviously allow employees to opt out if they are not interested in the topic.”

An Ounce of Prevention
Another popular program Reid has implemented is the promotion of preventive care. “Ashton provides the flu vaccination for all staff and students who wish to receive it during flu season. Encouraging and funding these vaccinations has had a really clear return on investment; employees are able to avoid the flu and the number of sick days has been reduced,” Reid explains. “Coordinating off-site vaccinations is relatively simple, employees that are eligible for a free flu shot are provided with a list of clinics they can visit and anyone not covered by MSP has their costs directly covered by the company.”

While employers may be hesitant to introduce non-monetary benefits because of the costs associated, there are a number of ways to introduce perks that suit your organization’s budget and will provide a positive return on your investment.

Janice Bandick is the Communications Assistant at Ashton College, a private college in Vancouver. Founded in 1998, Ashton College has since become a national and international force in the field of education. Ashton College’s Diploma in Human Resources Management program is offered in an innovative live online format to help those across Canada prepare for the National Knowledge Exam and become a candidate for the CHRP.