Workplace wellness is a huge and growing trend these days. A healthier employee is a happier employee. That is the reason managers are introducing workplace wellness programs, and at the same time using technology as a tool to monitor and reward their employees’ fitness achievements.
At present, 70 percent of U.S. businesses offer a workplace wellness programs, an expansion from 58 percent in 2008. It’s a well-known fact that putting resources into employee wellbeing is beneficial over the long haul. Not only wellbeing programs help businesses to lower social healthcare costs and decrease absenteeism, but research shows they enhance employee engagement and retention also.
Motivating workers to benefit from a wellbeing program is not the only answer. Participation is low, and sometimes, employee lack interest or time, too. That is where technology in various forms can help make things easier for employees.
GAMIFICATION
Gamification, an amalgamation of technology and game-playing can increase employee engagement and also help them achieve their goals. There are three elements of gamification: basic guidelines, rewards, and social interaction. The best thing about gamification is that it is also a great motivator. Employee endeavor to win a challenge, whether it’s getting in shape, eating more healthy food, or accomplishing measurable wellness goals.
By implementing gamification with month to month or quarterly incentives, employers can build a wellness-focused workplace culture. With the input that such competition creates, employees have more strong incentives to reach their objectives.
APPS
Applications for wellness trackers are only one of many tools that allow employees to track their wellbeing. There are also applications like Headspace with meditation and mindfulness techniques. Sleep applications, which track clients sleeping, and help them sleep with calm and soothing music, words. And nutrition apps, which track caloric intake and nutritional content of the food the employee eats.
Employers with employee wellbeing in their mind could encourage the use of both the strategies to drive the health objectives of the workplace.