You may have noticed society’s large shift toward “wellness,” and its shift away from “efficiency.” More and more individuals are realizing that they have a better mindset in life when they prioritize their physical and mental well being instead of treating themselves as a well-oiled machine. Organizations and companies have also received the wakeup call, leading to “organizational health and wellness” trending on the spectrum.
But what exactly is organizational health, you ask? The current definition equates to how a company’s internal working environment is maintained, managed, and supported in order to achieve its overall goals. Organizational health is often maintained within the organization’s work culture.
One incredibly important aspect of organizational health and wellness is employee health and wellness. Unfortunately, this area is often overlooked. Companies that do focus on their employees’ health and wellness, though, frequently reap positive results.
So why do fitness programs work so well? These corporate wellness programs help employees stay healthy, motivated, and productive. At the same time, they also increase morale and create a supportive work culture.
By understanding the importance of organizational health, businesses can make informed decisions that will lead to improved performance and long-term success. Many of these programs, like Swatson Solutions' SWS program, are also available virtually, making them more accessible than ever for everyone in your office.
The Correlation between Healthy Workers and Company Performance
If you’re looking to improve your company’s overall performance, you should consider starting in an unexpected place: individual employee health and wellness. Improving your employees’ wellness doesn’t just help them feel better; it can actually help your company make more money! There are a lot of benefits of workplace wellness programs that often go overlooked.
A recent McKinsey study found that many companies who sought to improve their health went from the second quartile to the top quartile on the OHI, showcasing the tangible improvements companies can make when implementing a fitness program.
The Company Leaders in Workplace Wellness
In an increasingly competitive business world, the top companies are going above and beyond to ensure their employees are happy and healthy. Major tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and Asana understand the benefits of maintaining their employees’ well-being, and thus take efforts to improve it.
From offering fitness centers, stretching and fitness programs, and on-site massage therapy to providing flexible work schedules, these forward-thinking organizations are setting a powerful example for others to follow.
Here is a list of some of the top companies that stand out from the rest for their intense focus on workplace wellness and health.
Asana
Google
Microsoft
Intuit
What is the SWS Method?
Now that you know that fitness in the workplace is so important, you might be wondering, what type of workplace wellness program should I implement in my company? One of the most effective workplace wellness programs is the SWS Method, from Swatson Solutions.
The SWS Method is a research-backed 8-week virtual program created by Shannon Watson, RN to help individuals achieve increased body longevity, mindfulness, and completely reset their bodies and mind. It’s a great and reliable choice for individuals, workplaces, or groups that want to work together to improve their health. The SWS Method focuses on improving the company’s short-term health to focus on its long-term health.
But how do workplace wellness programs work? Not all fitness programs are the same, and some are more effective than others. The SWS method is designed through Shannon’s unique and highly approachable approach to fitness, which includes a combination of yoga, stretching, breathwork, mobility exercise, and more.
The SWS Method consists of as little as one class per week of mindful deep stretch and relaxation for all levels of fitness. Additionally, the community can engage and access nutrition advice, recipes, additional resources and guidance on how to stay motivated throughout the 8 weeks by following @SWS_Method and @shannonwatson825 on Instagram . The SWS method is the perfect choice not only for individuals who want to be more healthy, but for organizations, companies, clubs, and groups that want to improve the overall wellness of their organization.
Company Benefits of Bringing the SWS Method into the Workplace
Employee Benefits and Retention
Employee fitness programs are a great way to keep all of your employees happy and engaged. By providing employees with access to physical activity, they are able to stay fit and healthy while getting the support they need from their organization. Studies have shown that employees who participate in fitness programs tend to have lower turnover rates since they feel appreciated and valued by their employers.
Harvard BR reported in a survey that during employee exit interviews, the number one employee benefit which departing employees miss most is its workplace’s health program. This is a clear indication that when employers provide fitness programs for their staff, it makes them feel valued and increases their loyalty to the organization.
The benefits of employee fitness programs do not end at increased employee satisfaction. Investing in employee satisfaction is also one of the most effective ways to reduce employee turnover, thus saving your company money.
Companies that create an enjoyable atmosphere for their employees will benefit from lower training costs, increased productivity, and a more engaged workforce. By investing in their employees’ well-being, companies can create a positive work environment that encourages loyalty and encourages employees to stay with the company for longer periods of time.
Investing in employee wellness is not just an act of investing in the health of your employees, but an investment in the long-term success of a business. By providing employees with resources and support to nurture their physical, mental, and emotional health, businesses can create an atmosphere of well-being that leads to increased engagement and productivity. Happier, healthier employees will be more productive, creative, and motivated to do their best work.
Healthy Employees Cost Less
So investing in employee wellness will help your employees be more productive, and increase the success of your business in the long term. But did you know that you could actually SAVE money by introducing an employee fitness program?
Harvard BR's analysis of H-E-B's internal data shows that employees who participate in the company's workplace wellness programs are saving the company money in terms of annual healthcare claims. The data reveals that nonparticipants' annual healthcare claims are roughly $1,500 higher than among those with a high-risk health profile.
This data makes a lot of sense; as your employees’ overall health improves, they don’t need to spend as much money on health care. You might see other obvious benefits, too, such as employees taking less time off for hospital visits, doctor appointments, injuries and a reduction in worker compensation claims. Overall, investing in the health and wellness of your employees is a HUGE investment in the success of your business, and it will help you not just earn money but save it, too!
Improved Creativity
Creativity is important at work, empowering employees to think outside of the box, come up with new ideas, and complete tasks. The exercises included in the SWS method not only help keep your employees' bodies healthy but also help improve sleep and lower stress levels, allowing employees to function better at work and put their best foot forward. By taking care of your workforce, you can encourage innovation and creativity on your team.
Direction, Innovation, and Learning
Implementing a good fitness program in your workplace provides direction for your employees so they can focus on learning and innovation. The McKinsey Report found that working on management practices that drive certain positive actions and feelings - like shared visions among employees and upper staff, innovation, and more - also improved employees' health.
In other words, improving health also improves productivity, and improving productivity also improves health. By investing in your organizational wellness, you are investing in all of the aspects of your business that are the most important.
Taking actions that encourage direction, innovation, and learning proved to be some of the most impactful on modern businesses, offering them the greatest OHI outcome increases. Other organizational outcomes that are important are leadership, coordination, motivation, and work environment. All of these can be improved by focusing on employees’ well-being.
Team Building Exercises
One way to think about the SWS method is as a team-building exercise for your team. Team building exercises are a great way to bring employees together and foster collaboration within the workplace. They can help to develop trust, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as provide an opportunity for team members to get to know one another better.
While working out with colleagues, you’ll get to build new friendships with them, rekindle existing ones, and learn more about those around you.
It’s Fun!
Not only does working out with your coworkers improve your business and help your employees stay healthy, but it’s just plain fun! A workplace fitness program is an innovative way to increase morale and foster a sense of camaraderie among employees. Not only does it have the potential to reduce stress, improve energy levels and boost productivity, but it’s also a great opportunity to have fun together. From stretching classes to outdoor activities and even competitions, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating an employee fitness program that will help everyone stay physically and mentally healthy.
Implement The SWS Method 8-Week Total Body Challenge for Your Company
Knowing all of the benefits of increasing your employees’ health and wellness to improve your organizational health is only the first step. Now, it’s time to make the changes for your company! If we’ve caught your interest, get excited - you’re taking the first steps to your journey to a healthier and more innovative team.
Contact Swatson Solutions today to learn more about the SWS Method can improve your employees lives, and your company’s performance.