5 Ways to Improve Your Employee Wellness Program During COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc all over the country. More than 8,000 lives have been taken, and 4.6 million Filipinos have become jobless. While health issues and economic uncertainty may be the main threat of this crisis, the public shouldn’t ignore the pandemic’s potential impact on a person’s mental well-being, too.

As the head of your company, ensuring business continuity is understandably your main priority. But besides finding more sales opportunities to curb your losses, you shouldn’t forget to invest in employee wellness, too. Considering the challenges that come with quarantine, it won’t be a surprise if your employees are dealing with heightened stress levels and anxiety.

You should know by now that your organization is only as good as the people that run it. If you have some team members struggling with the new normal, showing that you care can make a huge difference in their mood, cognition, and overall performance. To help your company manage this difficult period, the guide below will discuss five excellent ways to improve your employee wellness program. 

1. Assess what your employees really need
   
   Before you start any initiatives, take some time to ask them about their struggles. Don’t assume that your employees need a fitness program to feel better. Sending out a survey or questionnaire will help you identify the challenges they’re dealing with and allow you to provide the necessary solutions.
   
   If your staff members have difficulty concentrating on tasks, it may be best for you to invest in mindfulness applications. In case your employees are struggling with sleeplessness, adjusting their clock-in times will help them establish a stronger sense of routine. Always remember that specific problems require specialized solutions.
   
   
2. Use video conferencing tools to do wellness activities together
   
   Working from home may keep your staff safe, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Unlike in the office, where your team members can interact with others, the lack of a shared workspace can bring about feelings of isolation.
   
   Being unable to see friends, colleagues, and family can be very depressing, and you may have employees who are dealing with this period alone.
   
   One good way to solve this dilemma is to conduct virtual hangout sessions. Whether it’s a team quiz night or lunch over Zoom, setting some time for non-work activities can help your employees stay positive. Another fruitful activity is one-on-one sessions between your team leads and their team members.
   
   
3. Reassess your company’s benefit programs
   
   With employee stress levels higher than ever, some staff may be highly susceptible to chronic ailments. Tension from work and other personal priorities contribute to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Therefore, you should make it a point to reassess your company’s benefits.
   
   The uncertainty that surrounds the future may also be a great stressor for your employees. In the case of breadwinners, the pressure of providing and the anxiety of getting sick can take a toll on their well-being.
   
   The best way to counter this issue is to revisit and perhaps revise your company's benefits. Letting them know that you have wellness offerings that they can easily avail of will give them a great sense of ease.
   
   
4. Provide care packages
   
   People appreciate receiving gifts, and your employees are no exception. If you want to show your appreciation to your staff, sending care packages is a meaningful gesture. Whether it’s a small gift card or a bag of snacks, your employees will be thankful for the recognition you give. It won’t hurt to do this during birthdays and other special occasions, too.
   
   
5. Offer more flexibility
   
   COVID-19 has revolutionized the way we approach work. Now that people have been forced out of the office, being agile has become of utmost importance. Even after the crisis has passed, it’s expected that many companies will continue to stick to a flexible work arrangement.
   
   With this in mind, you shouldn’t hesitate to adjust your company’s policies. You may have some employees that feel constrained with your current work setup, and something as simple as implementing a flexitime benefit can already make a big difference.
   
   Other than giving them a stronger sense of control, allowing them to choose when to start working will help them manage stress.

Prioritize Employee Wellness

Healthy employees are your company’s biggest assets. Apart from providing medical benefits to protect them against physical illnesses, don’t forget to also safeguard their emotional well-being. Keeping them in a positive state of mind will allow them to navigate this pandemic and develop resilience for other challenging life periods.

With these tips in mind, encouraging self-care and developing new wellness programs can be done with ease. If you want to provide more protection for your company, acquiring a comprehensive business insurance plan will give all of your employees a safety net. Get easily insured amidst the pandemic and set a virtual appointment with one of our Bancassurance Sales Executives today!