Using Technology For Employee Wellness Programs

Employee wellness programs aren’t just nice to have. They are essential if you want to be competitive in today’s workforce. 

But what are they, what should you include in yours, and how do you know you’re on the right path?

Join us as we take a closer look at this hotly debated, but absolutely necessary, part of your benefits package. 

What Are Employee Wellness Programs?

 

Employee wellness programs are initiatives put together by employers to encourage employees to take care of their health. In some cases, wellness programs extend to dependents and spouses, as well. 

 

Some examples of employee wellness programs include:

 

• Corporate Fitness Challenge Programs
• Healthy Eating Initiatives 

• Work-Life Balance Programs
• Mental Health Support Programs 

 

Wellness programs offer benefits for employers as well as employees. For example, if you want to attract top talent, you’re expected to offer them. Some 9 out of 10 employees consider benefits packages when pursuing a new job. 

 

A strong wellness program can also increase productivity. Poor employee health can also cost up to three times more than simply taking care of employees when they’re ill. 

 

But what type of employee wellness program do modern employees expect? Let’s take a look at a few modern tech options that could benefit your business. 

Modern Tech for Small Business Employee Wellness Programs 

 

Online Health Assessments 

 

Online health assessments give employees a personalized analysis of their health. These assessments gather important information regarding lifestyle choices, risk factors, and health metrics to help you build better wellness programs. 

 

Virtual assessments are convenient and easy for employees to perform, making them a great addition to your existing wellness programs. 

Telemedicine

 

Despite some 33% of employees saying they view telemedicine as “very important” only 31% of employers offer it through employee wellness programs. The gap is big enough that small businesses can take advantage and outshine their competitors through it. 

 

Telemedicine also reduces in-person visits and the time it takes to commute to and from medical facilities. 

 

It can also be used for mental health support. Therapy sessions can be conducted virtually, and help address both anxiety and stress. All in all, telemedicine is an investment that produces healthy returns. 

Health Management Platforms 

 

Health management platforms scale with your business and provide an easier way to track your employee wellness programs. Whether you want to invest in health tracking or help employees set fitness goals, there are so many different ways to use them for your business. 

 

These platforms are also a great way to increase employee engagement in your wellness programs by providing data-driven insights. They also make it easier to manage the admin side of your program. 

Virtual Wellness Classes

 

Gym members are wonderful, but virtual classes are more appealing to employees. Some 58% of people who exercise regularly say they prefer to do so at home. Virtual fitness workouts, nutrition workshops, and wellness classes are more likely to be utilized. 

 

If you can offer live sessions, that’s even better! Creating a sense of companionship within your employees through live sessions can further enhance the program’s benefits. 

 

Whatever route you choose, virtual wellness is a worthy investment for employers. 

Mobile Applications

 

Keep employees engaged with wellness programs with an app! Mobile apps are ideal for a variety of purposes, including meditation, nutrition tracking, and stress-level monitoring. 

 

Let your employees know how much you care about their health by investing in a mobile app that makes sense for their healthcare needs. 

 

Here are some ways you can use a mobile app to benefit employees:

 

• Personalized Health Plans and Goal Setting 

 

• Journal Prompts for Mental Health Support

 

• Health Data Analytics and Insights

 

How to Choose the Right Wellness Programs For Your Employees 

Conduct Surveys

 

Get detailed feedback from employees to create a program that meets their needs. You can do this through email or an in-person meeting. Ask questions like, what’s your preferred wellness activities, what holds you back from participating in them. Then build a program around those interests and challenges. 

Align Your Wellness Programs with Company Goals 

 

Do you want to increase productivity? Reduce healthcare costs overall? Attract top tier talent? Determine what your company goals are, and then create wellness programs that align. 

Keep Your Budget in Mind

 

As a small business, it’s crucial that you create a program that is scalable. You also don’t want to invest heavily in a wellness program that does too much and costs too much. Keep your budget at the forefront along with the size of your team and plan accordingly. 

 

Get Employee Input for the Program 

 

Once you have a few program options together, get real feedback from your employees. Ask them what their thoughts are about the program you’ve created. Adjust what you offer if needed, but make sure your employees genuinely like what you’re offering. Otherwise, it will be a waste of your time and money. 

 

Partner with Experts 

 

Partner with third-party providers who specialize in employee wellness programs like Primary Care Insurance Solutions. We have the skills and experience to put together a well received wellness program for any sized business or employee demographic. 

 

Building a Sustainable and Impactful Wellness Program for Your Team 

 

Choosing the right wellness program for your team is an essential investment in the overall health and well-being of your employees. The right program can improve your employee’s morale, productivity, and retention. 

 

Assess what your employees needs, aligning programs with company goals, and ensuring scalability and inclusivity you can create an employee wellness program that benefits everyone on your team. 

 

For more information or guidance for your employee wellness program, contact the PCI team in Houston today.