7 questions employers should ask when preparing for wellness
Overall, Hamill suggests, employers should ask themselves a number of questions to help them evaluate their readiness for implementing a wellness program. The following seven are among them.
1. Do your leaders demonstrate well-being?
· Share a video about your CEO’s sincere commitment to employee well-being
· Model positive behavior through everyday actions — like taking lunch breaks and vacations, scheduling walking meetings and setting tech boundaries
Reinforce the importance of well-being in all written and verbal communications
2. Do managers give their teams the time and space for self-care?
· Ask employees, “How are you?” Talk with employees about well-being and how to overcome hurdles
· Be a role model for well-being improvement by taking daily stress breaks, setting personal goals and sharing your progress
· Send frequent messages of support and encouragement (like thank you cards or recognition during team meetings)
· Across the organization, motivate workers n to schedule “micro-motion breaks,” engaging everyone to get up and move 1-2 minutes every hour
3. Are teams and peers empowered to cheer each other on?
4. Does the physical space support or prevent healthy habits?
· Post motivational reminders in common areas to encourage healthy activities
· Assess the level of focused work people can do in their work areas — is it too loud? Is there too much foot traffic?
· Provide on-site resources for well-being improvement (things like natural light, healthy snack options and common rooms)