Inmar's approach to successful wellness programs is to truly enhance employees' well-being through ongoing conversations about mental and physical health, providing real resources and support, and monitoring progress. Our data revealed that 20% of medical claims are tied to mental health, and the average wait time to see a provider is 21 days through a traditional medical plan network. In 2023, we partnered with Lyra Health to provide 24/7 access to personalized mental health care and a 2-day average wait time. Since partnering, 503 employees have participated, 204 are in active care, and 1,314 sessions have been held. In addition to Lyra, we teamed up with Olympian Alexi Pappas, a mental health advocate who has used her battle with clinical depression to help others. We began by bringing Alexi to our headquarters for a hybrid event focused on the connection between mental and physical health, and overcoming life's challenges with resilience and grace. We’ve continued the partnership with a series of mental/physical challenges and QA sessions with Alexi, encouraging employees to start new healthy habits like walking 10K steps a day, increasing water intake, and trying new forms of movement. With Lyra's success, the support of Alexi Pappas, and Inmar's Stronger Together Wellness Affinity group, our employees have the resources they need to stay happy, healthy, and productive.
Our wellness benefits have helped employees to maintain a true work life balance and not feel the unintended pressure to always be “on” responding to those working. These benefits have significantly enhanced overall employee satisfaction and engagement, focusing on employee well-being. Our flexible work week, offering both two-days in-office and compressed four-day options, gives employees the ability to balance their work and personal life. Additionally, an annual one-week remote work option provides employees with the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world, fostering a sense of freedom and autonomy. When taking PTO for 2 weeks or more, employees can suspend their email which helps them to truly disconnect and recharge, preventing burnout. We provide wellness reimbursements up to $100 annually for preventive care encouraging proactive health management. These initiatives have empowered employees to disengage from work during their time off, reducing stress and burnout while fostering a healthier and more productive workforce.
At Fiverr, we prioritize mental health year-round, with a special focus during Mental Health Month which takes place every May. As a global organization with employees across several countries, we sought a way to unite everyone and provide valuable resources simultaneously. To achieve this, we host webinars. We’ve done journaling workshops, virtual sound baths, meditation and yoga classes, and most recently we produced a webinar titled "Mind Traps: Overcoming Irrational Thoughts," led by renowned life coach, author, and researcher Judith Katz. This talk delved into the reasons behind negative thought processes and strategies to overcome them. The webinar was attended by the majority of our employees, and those unable to watch it live still have access to the recording. Utilizing webinars has revolutionized our approach to employee well-being, enabling us to efficiently and effectively reach our global workforce. - Orin Burg, Director of HR, Fiverr
At Compt, we've taken a fresh approach to wellness with our Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs), and the results have been incredible. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all wellness program, we give our employees the freedom to choose what works best for them. Whether it’s yoga classes, mental health counseling, or even cooking lessons, our team can use their LSAs to invest in activities that truly support their well-being. The impact has been amazing. We've seen our employees become more engaged and satisfied because they feel truly valued and supported. Giving them control over their benefits has led to less stress and burnout since they can prioritize their health in ways that fit their unique lifestyles. It's not just about ticking a box for wellness; it’s about genuinely improving our team's quality of life. What’s even better is the culture of openness it’s created. Our employees are talking more about wellness and sharing what works for them (we have a dedicated Slack channel to all the ways we use our Compt lifestyle benefits). It's fostered a positive environment where everyone feels empowered to take charge of their health and happiness. By letting our team choose their own path to well-being, we’re supporting them today and investing in their future. That's the kind of workplace culture we’re proud to have at Compt
Wellness as a term is mostly related to Physical and now mental wellbeing as well. But I feel over all wellness has 7 pillars : mental, physical, social, financial, Spiritual, Occupational wellbeing. When we design a wellness program keeping all these pillars in mind its bound to be successful. So any activity / initiative I do in the organization is linked to one of the pillars. This helps us balance our activities and also help the employee grow in overall wellbeing leading to a health body, a peaceful mind and a happy life. Some initiatives under these pillars that i have successful implemented are EAP through 1to1help.net, now I am implementing Mantracare in my organisation which will cover both mental as well as physical wellbeing providing expert support for Yoga, mindfullness, counselling, stress management and many other programs as per once needs. For social wellbeing : organizing events (any fun activity at office, strategic meetings, outings), also training programs to elevate once confidence, communication, body language, etc to help them be more confident socially and be bale to have a healthy social life. Financial : Arranging financial planning sessions by CA or banks who can help our employees understand about taxes, savings and planning for their future. Spiritual: arranging meditation sessions, gratitude week, gratitude journaling, many more. Gratitude has changed my life and I ensure I implement this in every organization I work in. Finally gratitude to "featured" for giving me this opportunity to share my experience and thoughts about wellness. Thankyou, Thankyou and Thankyou very much for reading this article. Hopefully this was helpful
Successful wellness programs come from a wellness-minded culture that stems from the top down. The leadership team should practice what the company preaches, which means doing our best to exercise, eating right, and invest in personal and professional growth. For example, you can have the best on-paper gym perks, but if the company's mindset is rigid and includes long grueling hours every day, that’s an inherent conflict that will not lend itself to a successful wellness environment.
The Capital Group Wellness program has been extremely successful in highlighting the importance of mental and physical well-being with our associates. As we are now regularly back in the office, we’ve brought a focus to prioritizing our well-being when we are together. Our onsite events were popular pre-pandemic, and since the return to office, we’ve re-introduced gatherings, including health screenings and flu shots but also events that are tailored just to our associates, working with our partners Virgin Pulse and Lyra. A good example is from our recent Core Values Week, where globally we support our values of Integrity, Client Focus, Diverse Perspectives, Long Term and Community. We hosted an Olympic-themed challenge to foster healthier habits and the importance of community. We’ve also teamed with our over 24 Employee Resource Groups to sponsor challenges that encourage mental health awareness, including a gratitude journal challenge. By increasing on-site well-being activities, we’re fostering an increased sense of community among our associates, reminding them we are here for them and helping them connect to support each other’s healthy goals.
In a prior role, I developed and ran an internal Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a healthcare facility of approximately 2700 people. I maintained deidentified data regarding workplace challenges and collaborated with our training and development team to offer lunch and learns targeting these common issues. I also co-led our employee wellness committee and strategically collaborated with, for example, a registered dietitian to offer a lifestyle management program for our colleagues. Showing up for employees in various ways gave them a chance to get to know me and my commitment to their well-being which increased their willingness to use their EAP benefit.
As CEO of Riveraxe LLC, I initiated an employee wellness program focused on work-life balance and stress management. We offered counseling and mindfulness training, reducing absenteeism 45% in 6 months. One employee struggled with anxiety and insomnia, impacting her work. After receiving counseling and practicing mindfulness, her performance improved dramatically. She now leads wellness initiatives, mentoring colleagues on resilience strategies. Providing mental health resources created a culture where people feel heard and valued. The impact on engagement, retention and productivity has strengthened our business. I recommend wellness programs matching employees' needs. Ask for feedback and adjust. Employee wellbeing drives success. Investing in people pays off.
One of the most impactful wellness programs we implemented was our "Holistic Health Initiative." This program focused on three main pillars: physical health, mental well-being, and work-life balance. We provided employees with access to on-site fitness classes, mental health resources including counseling sessions, and flexible working hours. Additionally, we organized regular wellness challenges and mindfulness workshops to encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The initiative was designed after receiving feedback from our team and identifying the areas where they felt they needed the most support. The results were remarkable. We saw a 30% reduction in sick days and a significant boost in overall employee morale. Our internal surveys indicated a 40% increase in job satisfaction and a 25% improvement in perceived work-life balance. It reinforced our belief that investing in the health and happiness of our team directly contributes to the success of our company.
As founder of Wright Physical Therapy, I launched an employee wellness initiative focused on injury prevention and stress management. We offered on-site physical therapy, counseling and mindfulness programs. In 6 months, Workman's Comp claims dropped 32% and absenteeism declined 28%. One employee struggled with back pain for years, afraid to take time off but productivity suffering. After receiving targeted physical therapy and counseling at work, he's pain-free, actively mentoring colleagues on self-care strategies. Providing accessible wellness resources fostered a culture where people feel supported to do their best work. Employee health and business health are intertwined. I recommend finding wellness solutions custom to your team's needs, then track results and modify. Investing in employee well-being pays dividends. Our people are our greatest asset. Care for them, and business success follows.
One of the most successful wellness programs I've initiated is the 5-dimensional "Wake-Up, Shake-Up, Thrive!" programs, specifically designed for employees aged 50+ and those approaching retirement. This program reinvigorates our senior workforce, ensuring they remain engaged, motivated, and valued as they navigate the transition towards retirement. The program is centered around five key dimensions of well-being: Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Financial wellness. Through tailored coaching, mental health resources, lifelong learning opportunities, spiritual growth initiatives, and comprehensive financial planning, the program addresses the unique needs of our aging employees. The impact has been significant. Participants report increased job satisfaction, improved physical health, and a deepened sense of purpose. The emotional and financial support provided by the program has reduced stress and anxiety, while the intellectual and spiritual components have fostered ongoing personal growth and fulfillment. Moreover, the program has helped create a more inclusive workplace culture, demonstrating that all employees "matter" regardless of age. This has not only boosted morale and engagement but has also enabled us to address broader DEI and demographic challenges effectively. Overall, the "Wake-Up, Shake-Up, Thrive" program has become a vital component of our wellness initiatives, contributing to a healthier, more motivated, and inclusive workforce.