Employees are a company’s most precious asset, and creating an environment where their
emotional and physical well-being prepares them to perform well. Businesses that
understand that the work environment is a bit like training for any sport activity. Positive
attitude and physical health enables more optimum performance.
Healthcare programs for employees are initiatives made by businesses to enhance employee
health and help them overcome different health-related issues. Such programs were not
common before, but nowadays, most companies go for them.
Popular Healthcare Programs for Employees
Employers use various healthcare programs to help employees improve their health across
different dimensions. However, every program may not be the best solution for every
employer.
Some of the popular employee healthcare programs mentioned below focus on a single
dimension, while others are multi-dimensional, but most of them help businesses in keeping
top talent. So, let’s explore the best ones:
1. Cover wellness program such as Biometric Screening
Biometric screenings are one of the most prevalent health programs used by businesses to
assess the physical characteristics of their workforce. Employees’ body mass index (BMI),
glucose level, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other parameters are frequently measured
using these programs.
Biometric screenings at work help in the early diagnosis of diseases and identifying health
risks among employees. This approach makes them more conscious of their health condition
and leads them to take adequate measures to fix their health problems.
2. Health Attestation
No one wants sick employees to enter the workplace. This does not do anyone any good.
The most effective way for helping to create a healthy environment is a daily health
attestation – having an automated health screening system is most efficient and can make
sure all employees are participating.
3. COVID and Flu Vaccines
The prime objective of flu shot clinics is to address employees’ physical health. These clinics
are often single-day events where nurses visit the facility/office and administer flu shots.
Flu-related direct expenses, outpatient visits, and hospitalization cost millions of dollars each
year. Indirect expenses like sick leaves and lost productivity also hurt employers badly. With
these factors in mind, many employers feel that flu shots are the ideal healthcare program
for their staff.
Automating the vaccine process can help companies stay on top of the vaccine status of all
employees. This will also help firms who may want their unvaccinated employees to take a
weekly Rapid or PCR test.
4. Disease Management
Disease management programs are systematic care plans that help individuals better
manage chronic disease(s) and enhance their quality of life. Most companies consider them
to be the best healthcare programs for their employees.
These programs involve a team of health professionals, including physicians, pharmacists,
nurses, dietitians, and others, to help patients manage their illnesses effectively. Some
programs are more patient-centered and include home visits, counseling, 24×7 call centers,
and appointment reminder systems to help employees manage their chronic diseases.
5. Gym Reimbursement
When it comes to focusing on the physical well-being of employees, companies often
provide solutions like standing desks or treadmill desks. However, in most cases, these may
not be sufficient.
Nowadays, many companies are coming up with gym membership reimbursement programs
for their employees. These programs are an appealing advantage, particularly for young
adults who value rewards programs and bonuses.
6. Health Education
Employers often prefer health education programs over other options because they are
flexible and costs low. These programs are also becoming more important because of the
increased amount of misinformation individuals receive through the internet.
Health education programs give employees relevant, high-quality, and prompt health
information via on-site seminars, webinars, wellness brochures, newsletters, and other
media sources. The biggest advantage of such programs is that employers can customize
them to best suit their employees’ needs.
7. Tobacco Cessation
Stats say that smoking amongst adults has declined significantly, but it has not completely
disappeared. The recent shift towards e-cigarettes and other tobacco products is also
disadvantageous for employers.
The financial and non-financial losses caused by the use of tobacco motivate employers to
pursue tobacco cessation programs. The objective of such programs is to provide assistance
and resources to tobacco users who want to stop.
8. Wellness Challenges
Wellness challenges include events and competitions designed to encourage employees to
adopt healthy habits. They’re also an excellent team-building tool for increasing employee
engagement and a sense of togetherness in the workplace.
These programs can cover a wide variety of themes, including physical, emotional, social,
financial, and environmental health. Participation in such challenges has become easier
because of wearable devices, relevant mobile apps, and other technological advancements.
9. Flexible Working Hours
With flexible working hours, employees can change their workday start and end times to
better fit their requirements outside of the workplace. Remote work options or work from
home also fall in this category. It means employees can complete work-related tasks outside
of the workplace.
Flexible working hours also enable employees to efficiently fulfill personal responsibilities
such as self-care or spending time with loved ones. In short, such an arrangement has the
potential to promote various aspects of well-being, including mental, physical, and
occupational health.
Final Words
Employees’ fitness is critical for driving productivity and keeping a motivated workforce.
Employee health should also be the highest priority for employers.