We all care about our own health and well-being, that’s a given. But what about the health of your employees? Of course you care about them as people, but their health and wellness should actually be one of the most important concerns when creating a successful workplace. After all, healthy workers are happy workers!

Productive Employees

Employees who are healthy are statistically more productive at work - it’s a fact. Feeling better each day means you can come to work and put your best foot forward. The better you feel, the harder you will be able to work. Exercise, getting a good night’s sleep, and eating healthy all contribute to a better feeling overall. Making small changes like providing healthy lunches for workers or encouraging taking 15 minutes out of the day to stretch will benefit the work your company produces overall.

Less Absences

Those who care for their health are sick less often, and this means less absences from work because of doctor’s appointments or illnesses. It also means that employees will be less likely to come to work ill and only be able to work half as hard. Encourage employees to stay home when they are sick, so the illness will not spread across the office and result in more absences. Allow workers to work from home if possible when they aren’t feeling their best. They may not be able to put their best work in from home, but it’s better for your business to contain the illness and keep healthy employees at their most productive.

Lower Stress

Stress is a part of every job in every field, and coping with stress is something we all do every day in various degrees. It’s easy to stress over a major assignment, but it also can be majorly unhealthy for both the mind and body. The best workers have their stress under control and to a minimum, and as an employer, you can help the environment at your business to be as enjoyable as possible. Think about a team-building yoga session once a month, encourage breaks during the day to read, walk, or just decompress, or make small changes to the office aesthetic to create a decluttered, stress-free environment.

Reduced Healthcare Costs

Healthier employees means lower health insurance costs for employers. You may not think of this as a huge cost to the company, but it can really add up if your workers aren’t taking the best care of themselves. Provide programs such as smoking cessation sessions to encourage your team to become their best selves, both in their work life and with their personal wellness.

Recruitment and Retention

When drawing in potential employees, it’s important to show that your company has concern for the health and wellness of its workers. Tout your wellness programs and initiatives during the recruitment process and your future employees will know that you run a business that values each and every person on the team. Caring about employee wellness also helps retain workers, making them feel like a vital part of the company.

What are your secrets to a healthy workspace? Feel free to share them below..