How To Boost Employee Wellness During Open Enrollment Season

Cooler weather is starting to set in which also prompts changes that impact your business. It is important to boost employee wellness in the fall before flu season and frigid temperatures kick in. If your staff is healthy and happy, it has a positive impact on teamwork, company morale, productivity and it reduces the amount of sick leave taken by employees.

So here are three ways to make health and wellness fun for everyone during open enrollment!

Boost Employee Wellness with a Step Challenge

A great way to encourage employees to stay active in cooler weather is to encourage the use of technology to keep them moving. Most of your employees already own some type of wearable tracker like an Apple Watch or FitBit. Even if they don’t have wearable trackers, they can use their smartphone and an app to track their steps. Set an office goal and reward the winning team with gift cards to a local restaurant or to a healthy catered lunch.

Boost Employee Wellness with a Seasonal Recipe Swap

This time of the year there is usually an increase in the number of potlucks in the office. That also means everyone generally picks up a few extra pounds. Host a recipe swap that features fall foods like pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes and beans. Encourage employees to bring in the recipes for their dishes so others can take them home and make it for their family. The dishes on the menu will be packed with antioxidants and vitamins that will help them stay healthy during cold and flu season.

Boost Employee Wellness with Team Building Activities

Consider a fun outing that can help strengthen your team members instead of your typical team building activity in the conference room. Consider going to a corn maze, hunting for pumpkins or picking apples. These are great ways to get them moving, spending time outside and enjoying each other’s company in a more relaxed setting. The change in pace will build enthusiasm among employees during the workday and reduce stress, making them more productive.

Healthy and happy employees are the key to a productive team which results in a successful business. As Richard Branson once said, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of your clients.” So listen to them and consider their feelings when planning your wellness programs.

Be sure to track any wellness program you have in place and be sure to get feedback from your employees. There’s no point in repeating an activity or spending money on a program that no one enjoys or participates in.

Would you like more tips to encourage better employee health year round? Contact our client relations manager, Grace Boivin, and let us know how can assist you at 703-823-0217 or e-mail us at graceb@aerobodies.com.