Corporate wellness programs have become a priority for many employers now. As time goes by, wellness technology is advancing, and employee wellbeing trends are evolving. Be it to have a competitive edge in the corporate wellness market or to get the best ROI for your wellness dollars investment, the employee wellness programs must evolve. Also, the corporate wellness programs must grow to make sure they are in line with the emerging employee wellbeing and wellness technology trends.

In olden times, employee assistance programs were mostly about offering health insurance and less about employee wellbeing. However, things have changed since a few decades where employers have started noticing the benefits of an energetic workforce. And so, companies started introducing corporate health and wellness benefits. While some included health-focused programs, some offered recreation places at the workplaces and employee gyms. Studies show that healthcare costs may increase by 5.3% in 2021. To curb the rising expenses due to expensive healthcare costs, many employers have started introducing disease management and behavioral management initiatives as a part of employee wellness programs.

Here are some ways by which wellness program vendors are improving their employee wellness programs to make sure it benefits both – employees and employers in many ways.

1. Focusing on Employee Mental Wellness

Although many workplace wellness programs emphasize holistic wellness and work-life balance, many times it does not offer what it promises. Also, with an existing social stigma about mental wellness, many employers did not focus on emotional wellbeing initiatives. However, studies show that mental wellbeing issues affect employee productivity, absenteeism, and turnover rates. And so, companies have started including employee mental wellness programs in their workplace benefits packages.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused social isolation and disrupted work-life balance increasing mental crisis. In many serious cases, it has led to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, affecting overall employee wellbeing.

Addressing employee mental wellness and emotional wellbeing through corporate wellness program initiatives can help overcome all these issues. With the right mental wellness challenge ideas, activities, and educational resources, employers can focus on employee mental wellbeing, reduce the risk of stress-related health concerns, improve decision-making skills, and reduce burnout issues.

2. Personalized Data-Assisted Wellbeing Programs

Studies show that almost half of the adults in the US have chronic health diseases, like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Another study showed that employers can save up to $730 billion by just changing their lifestyle habits. By offering personalized healthcare initiatives, employees can improve their lifestyle habits and reduce the risk of chronic health diseases.

Offering personalized disease management and preventive healthcare programs can motivate employees to lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of chronic health diseases. Since these personalized health and wellbeing programs meet the required wellness needs of the employees, they are more likely to be engaged with the corporate wellness program initiatives. Since the personalized health and wellbeing needs vary from employee to employee, and from organization to organization, it is important to choose a wellness program vendor who can offer customized corporate wellness program modules to ensure it is well-suited to your company.

By analyzing the outcomes and data from these personalized employee wellness initiatives, employers can improve the wellbeing programs and modules to meet specific employee wellness needs and boost employee engagement. So, from having a white labeled wellness program to customized wellness modules, make sure you consider everything while choosing a wellness program vendor for a better personalized user experience.

3. Corporate Wellness Technology and Digital Health Solutions

Corporate wellness technology is growing rapidly, and they have been very useful to boost employee engagement in workplace wellness programs. Right from offering wellness program platforms and corporate wellness apps, to supporting device integration, workplace wellness software has made it easy for the workforce to participate and engage in employee wellness programs.

For example, with a well-designed corporate wellness app or wellness program platform, employees can track their daily step count, physical activity, calorie intake, sleep hours, and more to understand their lifestyle and where to improve.

Along with the user wellness platform, many wellness program vendors, like Wellness360, also offer an administrative portal for employers and wellness program administrators to understand and manage the entire employee wellness program. With the digital technology and tools providing access to an aggregate pool of data, the administrators can improve their program modules and enhance user experience.

4. Health and Wellness Coaching

Despite offering personalized health and wellbeing initiatives, many employees find it difficult to continue their wellness challenges and health journey. They usually need a push to get back on the right track. Health coaching programs offer a personalized opportunity to assist employees with their wellbeing journey. Ideally, health and wellness coaches understand employee health conditions and educate them about making the right lifestyle improvements to lead a healthy life. They support them by mentoring them about what is right and wrong for their holistic health.

Many employers include wellness coaching programs through which health coaches guide employees with one-on-one interaction. Health coaching programs are very beneficial to employees who have serious health issues and are ready to make a healthy change. Also, including health coaching as an integral part of the workplace wellness program can give the company a competitive edge in the market.

5. Promoting and Focusing on Self-Care

Owing to its impact on workplace productivity, employee mental and emotional wellbeing have become a top priority for many employers. And so, along with the mental wellbeing programs, employers are introducing self-care modules as a part of the workplace wellness programs. Typically, the self-care modules include meditation, yoga, mindfulness, hobbies, and other such personal care practices.

Studies show that companies that include self-care programs as a part of their employee wellbeing programs often have a positive workplace culture and an environment that can attract and retain many talented employees. Apart from helping with business growth, self-care programs also boost employee engagement and productivity. It can also reduce employee burnout, helping them have a better work-life balance.

Studies show that well-designed employee wellness programs can give an ROI of $3-$4 for every invested wellness dollar. However, for the profits to keep flowing, it is vital for the employee wellness programs to grow with the evolving health and wellbeing trends. Also, the wellness program platform, workplace wellness app, and other digital health solutions must be supported by the latest corporate wellness technology. Diversify your wellness program modules and deliver them through the right channels to ensure maximum employee engagement, productivity, and workplace wellness.