How to Support Employee Fitness Resolutions

Gina Deveney
Posted by in Human Resources


Human resources professionals are tasked with overseeing many of the benefits programs available to employees. Corporate wellness programs help ensure that workers feel fit and promote attendance by giving employees the tools they need to stay as healthy as possible. These programs are one of many great ways to support the fitness resolutions of your workers as the new year begins. By employing corporate wellness programs along with other methods for one-on-one support, your organization can help your employees reach their fitness goals.

Many human resources professionals have exceptional power when it comes to selecting corporate wellness programs that work for the majority of local workers. These may take the form of partnerships with local gyms or the creation of a fitness center on site in the offices of the company. The program that you choose will have a big impact on the health and well-being of your workers as well as help them attain their specific goals. You should strive to ensure that the program you choose works well for people of various fitness levels, ages, and schedules. Though your company may operate on a fairly regular schedule, the after-work schedules of workers may vary greatly.

Employee wellness is one of the central concerns of the Affordable Care Act. Many provisions make it easier for organizations to gain or keep their own wellness programs. This act may allow you to negotiate with your company's insurance provider if it does not cover corporate wellness options. Small businesses may also petition for additional plans and options under the ACA, selecting programs that better meet their needs than their existing company insurance plans. Many human resources experts are quickly coming up to speed on the many changes outlined in this piece of legislature.

Each of your employees is likely to have personal goals for fitness. Many of them may seek individual or team support. As an HR expert, you can help in more ways than directing them to your corporate wellness center or program. Organizing teams for motivation and support for those looking to tone their figures or meet specific goals, such as running marathons or winning weightlifting competitions, can help you provide the support each employee needs. Other groups could benefit from weight-loss challenges that do not offer tangible rewards beyond enhanced employee wellness.

Healthy employees miss less work and can help prevent illness spreading through the office. Those who feel fit and healthy are likely to be more productive in the workplace and may help foster an overall culture of fitness in the organization. Human resources pros should do all they can to encourage the use of corporate wellness programs and facilities as well as provide additional one-on-one or team support for those looking to meet specific fitness goals in the coming year.

 

 

(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

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