Have you considered a workplace wellness program?

Now more than ever, employees value employers that put their wellbeing at the heart of working life. Findings from international recruitment company Robert Walters show that, for 92% of professionals, a workplace wellness program is an important factor. And, according to the same survey, 88% of professionals believe that employers have a responsibility to support and enhance employee wellbeing.

When a company takes steps to implement a workplace wellness program, it not only benefits the employees, but also the success of the business as a whole. So, how can a workplace wellness program make a difference to your workforce and its output? How should it be implemented for maximum effect? And how can GulfCare help? Read on to find out more.

Why workplace wellness matters

A comprehensive workplace wellness program can have a significant positive impact on workers’ physical and mental wellbeing, as well as employer branding. It contributes towards increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, higher staff retention rates, more talent attraction, and greater levels of staff motivation.

And, by investing in their employees’ wellbeing, businesses can also benefit financially. A recent US study discovered that, for every dollar spent on wellness programs, medical costs fall by about $3.27. In fact, not implementing a wellness program can end up being more costly for a business. Employees in the Robert Walters survey said they would take more time off work and put less effort into their work if their health and wellbeing issues were not supported by their employer.

What does a workplace wellness program include?

When considering a workplace wellness program, all facets of wellbeing - physical, mental and financial - need to be taken into account. According to a survey by The Talent Enterprise on employee wellbeing in the GCC, 68% of employees reported increased levels of stress at work during 2022 - and a lack of transparency around mental health is playing a significant part in this.

The results also show that 4 in 5 managers across the GCC do not feel fully equipped to talk about issues such as mental health with their teams. And all too often, mental and financial health are intertwined - an impact on one can negatively affect the other. Implementing a comprehensive workplace wellness program, which clearly outlines the support available, encourages employees to be more transparent about their needs. This can, in turn, foster a healthier, happier - and more successful - workplace.

How can you implement a workplace wellness program?

When developing a wellness program, the most important consideration is its long-term sustainability. Wellness programs most commonly fail due to either a lack of communication around the services available, or a lack of active support from senior management team members. There are several steps that can be taken to set your wellness program up for success.

Firstly, engage managers and senior leadership team members in its development. The more opportunities they have to shape the program, the more likely they are to promote it to their team members.

Secondly, make sure your wellness program caters to the individual, rather than the workforce as a whole. Gain insights from as many people across your company as possible, to understand what matters most to them. For example, in the GCC 78% of employees currently believe that their digital health deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of working from home and their inability to ‘switch-off’. This has led to an increase ind digital fatigue. So, by implementing optional ‘digital detox’ policies as part of their wellness program - such as not sending or responding to messages after a certain time in the day, or encouraging face-to-face meetings rather than virtual meetings - employers across the GCC can combat this current issue.

Thirdly, once the program is in place, be ready to adapt it to the evolving needs of your workforce. A wellness program is never set in stone, so consider reviewing it at least once a year to assess whether or not it is still optimal for your employees.

Lastly, be sure to communicate wellness initiatives regularly and across all company channels and platforms, to ensure that every team member remains informed and empowered to use these services.

How GulfCare can enrich your workplace wellness program

At GulfCare, we believe that a workplace wellness program is integral to preventative care. And when you enroll your employees for GulfCare membership, they benefit from a range of options that can enhance your own.

We provide tailored healthcare packages and medical insurance for employees in UAE and across the GCC. And in addition to our TruDoc tele-health consultations and prescription delivery, our packages include on-site wellness consultations, and nutrition and fitness plans.

What’s more, our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional 24/7 support, to address issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, relationships, and workplace challenges. The service can also provide remote, short-term counseling and emotional support in multiple languages. So, wherever your employees are, you can be assured that they have the right tools to support their holistic wellbeing.

To learn more about our group health insurance plans, get in touch today.