Workplace wellness can mean a variety of different things depending on who you ask. For some, it means encouraging your employees to take breaks and get lunch. For others, it means monthly team hiking trips. It could even describe a health benefits plan.

But what do employees really want from a workplace wellness program? We asked 9 professionals about their workplace wellness and what their employees have said. They’ve shared their most popular initiatives below.

Define Workplace Wellness

“Workplace wellness” was always our lowest-scoring category at our company. It always bothered me. We equip people with Herman Miller Aeron chairs, we schedule “Wellness Checks” during our workdays, we give everyone $50 / month to spend on anything that improves our workplace culture. What else do we need to do? 

I channeled my frustrations by asking our company what workplace wellness even means. Turns out, there’s a wide range of definitions that I never considered. There’s mental wellness, nutritional wellness, physical wellness. And a whole lot more to be considered. 

First, define workplace wellness with your team. Then, dive into solutions. Most companies, like ours, try to go for solutions first before seeking to understand the definition.

-Brett Farmiloe, Markitors 

Make It Well-Rounded

Employees want a well-rounded wellness program. There should be activities available for every type of employee in your organization. You should offer things like weight-loss programs, smoking cessation, fitness trackers, and mental health resources. Programs having to do with fitness and health seem to be popular. You can even gamify it and start a fitness contest to increase popularity.

-Dana Felix, HR Analyst

Unlimited PTO

Unlimited PTO is a policy that’s universally loved at Qwick. We all work really hard and voluntarily put in more than 40 hours a week pretty frequently. Being able to take time off whenever we need takes a ton of stress off everyone's plates, whether it be for an important trip, or just a day to decompress. A small break allows me to come back recharged and even more productive, and I know this is the case for my team members as well.

-Zack McCarty, Qwick

An Exceptional Retirement Plan 

Employees want to know that their company cares about them as people. Employees want retirement plans that will ensure a good quality of life long after they retire from their organization. Solid retirement benefits are not always easy to come by, so a company that offers an exceptional retirement plan as a part of their wellness program is sure to attract candidates to their organization. 

-Ryan Nouis, TruPath

-Mental Health Support 

It's a sad truth that more people are suffering from mental health issues, so providing some form of support is really helpful. A lot of the time, employees just need someone to talk to—someone who isn't involved in their situation and who can offer impartial advice.

-Lee Biggins, Resume-Library

Think Outside the Tangible Factors

Successful workplace wellness initiatives must focus on people's care within your organization. Employee wellbeing is about how your job—your duties, expectations, stress level, and the environment—affects your overall health and happiness. And while it certainly includes things like exercise and nutrition, well-being isn’t just about physical health. It’s about mood and cognition, and less tangible factors like a sense of purpose. 

-Mark Christensen, People & Partnerships

Wellness Challenge 

Everyone loves a workplace wellness challenge! Our office is pretty competitive, so anytime we can turn a workplace wellness program into some kind of competition, we usually do. There are challenges that encouraged our team members to engage in workouts of their choosing and drink more water at the office. By tracking their progress, their team would be eligible to win a health-related prize at the month’s end. It was a fun way to get the office involved and take care of our health at the same time. 

-Megan Chiamos, 365 Cannabis 

Convenience and Practicality

Employees want convenience and practicality. We have a subsidized gym membership offering to all of our employees. The gym has multiple locations so people aren’t restricted to one location and they have all of the amenities you could want. 

-Blake Murphey, American Pipeline Solutions

Flexibility

Employees want to know that their place of work is one that prioritizes physical and mental wellbeing. Now more than ever, employees are looking for wellness programs that are flexible, allowing them to take advantage of the programs in ways that work with their lifestyle. Letting them know that wellness is a priority is a key place to start and this comes through communication and example. I encourage my staff to incorporate wellness into their lives, to step away for a break, a walk outdoors, and eating healthy — away from your desk, all key to building wellness habits that help calm and restore the mind and body.

-Carol Bramson, Side by Side

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