"Wellness" isn't just a buzzword.
When you put your team’s well-being first, you actually create a happier workplace and build a more productive, engaged team.
In a survey from Benefits Canada, 91% of respondents with a workplace that encourages wellness said they’re satisfied with their job, while 83 per cent of this group felt comfortable at their organization to be their authentic selves.
Ready to build or strengthen your employee wellness program? We've put together some examples that you can apply to your workplace right away.
Let's dive in.
What is an employee wellness program?
An employee wellness program supports your team’s health in every area. These programs offer activities, resources, and benefits that focus on physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness.
Workplace wellness programs cover fitness challenges, health screenings and mental health support, nutrition workshops, flexible work schedules, and wellness programs, demonstrating that you value your employees beyond their work contributions. When implemented thoughtfully, employee wellness initiatives boost morale, increase productivity, lower healthcare costs, and create a positive workplace culture.
What are some of the major benefits of employee wellness programs?
Putting employee wellness first has a positive impact across your organization. Here are some of the benefits of employee wellness programs:
You build a positive work culture: Your team sets the tone for your workplace. Wellness programs in the workplace help create a more supportive, collaborative environment because employees are prioritizing their physical and mental health.
There’s enhanced job satisfaction and engagement: When people know their well-being matters, they’re more satisfied and engaged at work. This leads to higher morale and a team that enjoys what they do.
Mental health support leads to less workplace stress: As workplace stress becomes more common, it's critical to provide mental health resources through wellness programs. By prioritizing mental health at the workplace, you can help reduce stress and prevent burnout. Your team will be more resilient and productive if they receive counselling and mindfulness training.
There’s a common goal that brings your team together: Wellness programs often create a common goal for the workforce, fostering unity and social wellness. Shared wellness activities at work build camaraderie, which improves workplace relationships and morale.
You promote healthier lifestyle choices: Wellness programs encourage better habits, such as fitness challenges and nutrition education, and smoking cessation leads to better overall well-being.
You improve employee retention: When you invest in wellness, your team feels valued and supported — they want to stay with your company. Employee wellness programs help keep people on board and reduce turnover.
The 10 key elements of an employee wellness program
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two areas that matter most to your team:
- Physical wellness: Health screenings, fitness reimbursement programs, fitness classes and challenges, or access to a gym facility.
- Mental health support: Counselling services, stress management workshops, mindfulness training, and employee assistance programs.
- Nutritional support: Initiatives that encourage access to healthy food options, nutrition classes, and balanced meals and water.
- Emotional well-being: Provide employees with training to manage stress and develop emotional intelligence.
- Social connections: Arranging activities such as volunteering, getting together with friends, and team-building helps people feel part of a community.
- Work-life balance: Policies that suit individual requirements, telecommuting opportunities, and flexible work schedules.
- Preventive health care: Wellness examinations, vaccinations, and health screenings promote proactive health measures.
- Financial wellness: Workshops to help employees learn about retirement planning, budgeting assistance, debt management, and financial planning resources.
- Environmental wellness: Ergonomic assessments, access to natural light and green spaces, and sustainability initiatives.
- Holistic wellness: Alternative medicine therapies, relaxation techniques, massage therapy, or acupuncture services.
17 employee wellness activities and initiatives you can start today
1. Walking meetings
Walking meetings get your team moving and thinking, spark new ideas, and keep everyone productive. If walking meetings aren’t a fit, encourage solo walks to help people recharge and stay active.
2. Meditation breaks
There are many benefits to short meditation breaks or quiet time. A Mayo Clinic report suggests these small but mindful steps can help your team manage stress, refocus, improve attention, sleep, and overall wellness.
3. Fitness incentives
No matter if your team is on-site, hybrid, or remote, consider subsidizing a monthly gym membership for them.
For in-office or hybrid teams, is there a fitness centre or yoga studio near your office you could partner with? And if you’re a remote team, is there an online class you could all take together?
Another great option is to hold these fitness classes mid-day, or a time that’s most convenient for your team. If fitness is flexible and financially supported, your employees will be more motivated to focus on their health and build it around their working schedule.
4. Healthy food options
Healthy eating is a key part of fitness — but sometimes, that’s easier said than done.
Add healthy options to your workplace fridge or snack cupboards to support your team’s health and focus. And if your team is remote, send them a care package or a healthy meal delivery service.
Or need a team bonding exercise? Consider sponsoring a cooking class out together!
5. Flu shots
For in-office or hybrid teams, consider offering flu shots at work in the fall to help prevent illness from spreading. Bring in a health professional to administer the shots and send gentle reminders to employees to sign up.
And if you’re remote, you can encourage your employees to take time away from work to get vaccinated.
6. Team social events
Social gatherings help foster teamwork, reduce stress, build stronger relationships, and support a positive work environment. If you’re able to get together in-person, think about mood-boosting activities like bowling or mini golf — something that helps shake up the routine outside of the office.
Or if you’re a remote team, consider hosting an online trivia event or virtual healthy cooking class. You’d be surprised how creative you can get!
And when you need team-building activity ideas, we’ve got you covered.
7. Wellness challenges
Wellness challenges help your team build healthy habits in a fun way. Try a water, sleep, or financial wellness challenge, track your progress and set up prizes for personal goals.
8. Mental health resources
Mental health resources like counselling sessions and workshops help your team feel supported and valued. These tools also help in boosting productivity and keeping employees engaged.
9. Mind-body and soul activities
Activities like yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi help reduce stress and improve focus. These activities support emotional resilience and a positive work environment. You can also offer massages or other therapies to help your team relax.
10. Financial planning workshops
Financial planning workshops help your team manage their finances and reduce stress. Employees who receive helpful guidance on investing, saving, and budgeting can better secure their financial future.
11. Improve the design of workspaces
Improving employees’ workspace boosts well-being and fosters a sense of ownership among employees. A better work environment lifts mood, sparks creativity, and reduces stress.
If your team is in-office or hybrid, consider placing plants around desks or painting a meeting room with your brand’s palettes (bonus points if you have a calming green hue you can work with). Your office is your canvas!
12. Community garden initiatives
Community gardens help your team stay active, eat healthier, and work together. Growing something together builds pride and boosts morale.
Plus, you can harvest what’s in season and share recipes with one another. And who knows, maybe your garden will inspire a team potluck!
13. Regular check-ins
Encouraging frequent check-ins and open feedback reveal your team's level of engagement. This also fosters a sense of community that supports the customization of effective wellness programs.
14. Flexible work schedules
To promote work-life balance and help your team efficiently juggle their obligations, flexible timing is key. These practices result in higher engagement and a more positive work environment.
15. Financial wellness programs
Financial wellness programs include resources, training, and planning tools to help your team manage financial stress. This support makes the workplace more secure and stable while helping employees make better decisions.
16. Employee assistance programs (EAP)
Employee assistance programs support your team’s well-being with counselling and mentorship. These programs create a supportive environment and improve job satisfaction.
17. Commuting initiative
An employer-sponsored commuting initiative helps workers manage the cost, time, and stress of traveling to and from work.
These programs can help reduce the stress of getting to work each day, giving your team flexible schedules or encouraging alternative commuting methods. Consider directly paying for or reimbursing costs for public transit passes, bicycles, or ridesharing.
No matter what you choose, a strong commuting program shows you care about work-life balance and your team's well-being. It also helps ease your team into a flexible return-to-office (RTO) schedule and environment.
How to track the success of your employee wellness program
Wellness programs are essential, but it’s just as important to measure how well they work. Every team is different, so you need to see what’s working and what needs to change.
Organize regular check-ins
Regular check-ins help you see how engaged and satisfied your team is, and how well your wellness programs are working. Open communication and quick feedback let you adjust your programs to fit your team.
Utilize surveys and feedback mechanisms
Use anonymous surveys by email or Slack to collect feedback from your team. This helps you see what’s working and what to improve.
In Rise, you can utilize employee check-ins to customize your questions and get feedback directly — these check-ins can easily be incorporated into your 1:1s.
Monitor employee retention rates
A critical indicator of success is employee retention. High turnover is costly, hurts morale, and affects business. To observe the effects, compare retention rates before and after wellness initiatives.
Regularly monitor the effects of your wellness program on your employees' health, productivity, and well-being.
Encourage participation
Boost participation by sharing the benefits of your programs. Offer rewards or recognition to motivate your team. Make activities easy to access and fit different schedules. Keep asking for feedback and tailor programs as per your team’s needs.
Transform your workplace culture with Rise People
Employee wellness programs are worth the investment.
They put your team’s health first with resources and support. These programs help employees get healthier, reduce stress, and improve mental health.
And when you value your team as people, not just for their work, it builds loyalty and job satisfaction. High morale leads to better engagement, productivity, and a stronger business.
Ready to build on your workplace culture? Rise is here to help. Our all-in-one people management platform makes your day-to-day simpler.
That’s because streamline HR, payroll, and benefits so you can spend less time on admin and more time supporting your team.
Book a free demo today to see how we can help your Canadian business!
FAQs About Employee Wellness Surveys and Programs
What are workplace wellness programs?
Workplace wellness programs are employer-sponsored initiatives designed to support the physical, mental, and emotional health of employees. These programs range from gym reimbursements and healthy office snacks to mental health counseling and flexible work arrangements. The goal is to improve overall health outcomes and increase job satisfaction.
Why are employee wellness programs so important for businesses?
Investing in a wellness program offers several strategic advantages for companies, including:
Increased Productivity: Healthy employees are more focused and energetic.
Reduced Absenteeism: Preventative care reduces sick days and long-term health issues.
Improved Retention: Employees feel valued and are less likely to leave for competitors.
Lower Healthcare Costs: Reducing chronic health risks can lead to lower insurance premiums over time.
What are some common examples of wellness initiatives?
The most successful programs are holistic. Popular examples include:
Physical: On-site fitness classes, standing desks, or "cycle to work" schemes.
Mental: Access to therapy apps, meditation rooms, and "Mental Health First Aid" training.
Financial: Retirement planning workshops and financial literacy seminars.
Social: Team-building retreats and volunteer days.
How can organizations measure the return on investment for a wellness program?
Success is measured through a blend of quantitative data and qualitative employee feedback. Organizations often analyze metrics such as the reduction in medical claims and the turnover rate to determine financial impact.
However, the most insightful data often comes from annual engagement surveys and pulse checks, which reveal how the program has influenced morale, job satisfaction, and the overall perception of the company's culture.
