Employee health and wellness programs are being employed by organizations worldwide to help reduce health risks, promote employee health and improve productivity. These programs have proven beneficial to businesses, helping reduce healthcare costs and improving employee morale.

Traditionally, employee health programs were individualized, but today they are increasingly administered on an organizational level. Employer wellness programs can be implemented at any point during the employee's tenure with an organization.

Employers are increasingly focusing on programs that promote healthier living and promote physical activity for their employees. In 2017, nearly two-thirds (61%) of all employer wellness programs reported that the primary focus of these programs was to reduce employees' risk of health problems, according to a study published by the HR and Benefits News. While the focus of most employee wellness programs is to improve the employee's overall health, it is also beneficial to encourage them to improve physical activity in the workplace.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, employee health improvements are correlated with reduced healthcare costs as well as improvements in productivity.

The benefits of employee wellness programs include the following:

· Improved productivity and an increase in employee retention: The average cost of hiring and retaining a new employee was estimated to be approximately $12,173 in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employee wellness programs help companies maintain a high level of employee health and motivation while improving productivity. By encouraging employees to take advantage of their company's wellness programs, employers can minimize turnover costs while improving the quality of their workforce.

· Healthier and more productive employees: Employees who are healthy are happier, less likely to leave, and more productive. Participating in an employee wellness program will help employees feel better and help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. Healthy employees are more productive and have a higher level of energy which can improve productivity.

· Improved employee well-being: Employees who are feeling better about their health and their life, in general, are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as better eating habits, improved diet, or increased physical activity. Employees who are more satisfied with their jobs are also more likely to remain with an employer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 50% of the total healthcare costs associated with the workers of the United States (around $3.3 trillion) are directly related to absenteeism, sickness, or disability. Employee wellness programs help companies control or reduce these costs.

The following are some guidelines that can help employers implement an employee wellness program:

1. Select a wellness plan that is the most appropriate for the goals of your business

The right wellness program will be the best fit for your business, employees, budget, and culture.

Not all wellness programs are alike; they vary based on each business's goals, structure, and culture.

Evaluate your budget and align your program with the structure and culture of your company, so that it is not only effective but also promotes the success and growth of your employees.

2. Train your employees to help implement the program

Taking part in a wellness program can be daunting for employees, but implementing them without training is asking for a potentially detrimental outcome.

Your employees should have time to review the plan, ask questions, and participate in group discussions before any of the work is expected of them.

3. Provide clear goals

Formal goals must be set and agreed to with employees and all employees must understand what is expected of them.

Be clear on how much time employees will spend implementing and following the program.

4. Provide a concrete plan to achieve the goals

Develop a clear and concise plan that outlines the steps and tactics for the employees to adopt to achieve the goals.

5. Communicate and keep employees updated on progress

Communicate regularly with employees on progress, milestones, and achievements.

Make it a point to engage in feedback and answer questions to help employees feel involved and comfortable.

6. Hold periodic employee wellness check-ins

Regular check-ins are essential, especially when implementing a wellness program in a company where employees may have different opinions on certain matters or are undergoing different life events.

7. Make it easy for employees to join and use the program

It's important to make the program and the processes involved in using it as easy and as simple as possible.

Identify who needs to be involved and how the program should be implemented.

8. Evaluate the program's impact on the company

It is essential to evaluate the program's impact on your business and its bottom line.

Be sure to implement a clear assessment of the program to guide future improvement.

9. Consider payroll deductions for participation

Employers can offer employees the option to receive financial contributions for taking part in the program.

Benefits of employee wellness programs

An employee wellness program can help your company and employees save money and improve their health.

It can help employees work more productively by helping them make better eating, sleeping, and exercise choices.

It can also help reduce absenteeism by helping employees manage the stress associated with