According to a recent report from the Principal Financial Well-Being Index:

• 43% of workers agreed that workplace wellness benefits motivated them to work harder and perform better;
• 28% of workers surveyed believe they’ve missed fewer days of work as a direct result of participating in a workplace wellness program; and
• 38% of workers credited workplace wellness programs for their improved energy and productivity at work.

Clearly there are many valuable benefits to be had from workplace wellness programs. Furthermore, with the rising cost of health insurance, helping your employees to improve or maintain their health just makes good business sense.

For many employers, though, the thought of creating such a program can conjure up scary images of expensive nutritionists and an in-house gym. However, creating a wellness program doesn’t have to be an over-the-top affair. In fact, by taking smaller steps over time, you can help promote a culture of wellness at work and have a positive impact on your productivity in the long run.

When it comes to wellness programs, one of the best moves you can make that will give you the most bang for your buck is to help employees quit smoking. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, paying for tobacco use cessation treatments is the single most cost-effective health insurance benefit – whether it includes counseling, medication, or a combination of both – that can be provided to employees.

Besides smoking cessation support, here are some other tips to help you and your employees get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle:

• Buy fruits and vegetables for the office lunchroom.
• Order salads or healthy sandwiches for working lunches, rather than pizza.
• Purchase a water cooler and place it next to the pop machine.
• Collect menus from restaurants with healthy lunch options and put them in a common area.
• Provide access to free flu shots at work. Post information about where to get free cancer screenings.
• Ensure the office is cleaned regularly and common areas are sanitized.
• Invite local health and wellness experts to come into the office to give a presentation on living healthier.
• Meet with your employees to brainstorm additional ideas for your company’s wellness program.

And if you’d like some more tips on cutting HR costs or just need some general staffing and HR help, contact Murray Resources. As a leading staffing services firm in Houston, Texas, we can help take the hassle out of hiring and human resources. Contact us today to learn more.