Being a CEO is not for the faint of heart. Apart from setting the future vision and strategy of the company, a CEO has to tackle a lot of challenges to build a lasting business. The factors that make a successful CEO may be many, but we can all agree that the most beloved CEOs are those who think of their staff as people first, workers second. And what better way to demonstrate to your employees that you care, than by investing in their overall wellbeing?

According to an ASSOCHAM report as recent as 2018, the formal sector of India can save up to US$20 billion each year through 1% reduction in absenteeism alone, and concurrently safeguard employees against lifestyle and chronic diseases by adopting a strategically-designed ‘corporate wellness’ programme.[1]

The good news is that starting one does not need to be overwhelming. To make it just that little bit easier, here is a list of suggestions to help you get in the fast lane to having the best corporate wellness program that promises lowered costs, increased benefits, and happy, productive employees.

1. Create an engaging program

Generic corporate wellness programmes are easy to find, but are also unfortunately almost always too broad-based to elicit engagement, leave alone results. As a CEO, one of your primary objectives from a corporate wellness programme might be to engage with your employees on a personal level, to give them the comfort of knowing they’re being looked after. A 2016 Gallup study found that it’s not only the leadership who feels this way, but the employees too. The study revealed that 62% of engaged employees feel their work positively affects their physical health.[2]

2. Focus on a culture of wellness

The above mentioned ASSOCHAM report also noted that several top 500 Indian companies undertaking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives offer healthcare programs and facilities in areas around their factories, yet 42% of them ignore the health of their employees. Clearly, the need of the hour is to create a healthy, high-performance workforce. Wellness cannot happen in a vacuum; work culture plays an important role in employees’ overall well-being. When organizations succeed in creating an overall workplace culture focused on wellbeing and satisfaction, the result is motivated employees who realise that their company is putting their health at the top of the priority list.

3. Set a great example

There are a number of studies that show that happy workers are the most productive workers, and some experts argue that employees look to the top of the company hierarchy for inspiration and motivation. While you may have a packed schedule, frequent travel, late hours and the stress of meeting your own ambitious goals, CEOs know that leading by example is the best way to get their employees to follow suit. So even though it may be tempting to give in to stress and skip a daily workout, most leaders maintain their fitness because they owe it to themselves to stick to a healthy lifestyle. When you prioritize employee’s health, you’ll build a healthier company and make it easier to stick to your own goals.

4. Go digital

An international medical study conducted in 2015 by healthcare group, Bupa, found that three in five employees would be more proactive with managing their personal health and wellbeing if their employer supported them with a digital platform. [3]As the wave of technology sweeps over all aspects of our lives, it is but natural that it finds its way into improving workplace wellness so that the hidden and indirect costs from productivity losses, employee medical claims, absenteeism and presenteeism are reduced.

An international medical study conducted in 2015 by healthcare group, Bupa, found that three in five employees would be more proactive with managing their personal health and wellbeing if their employer supported them with a digital platform.[4] As the wave of technology sweeps over all aspects of our lives, it is but natural that it finds its way into improving workplace wellness so that the hidden and indirect costs from productivity losses, employee medical claims, absenteeism and presenteeism are reduced.

[1] http://www.assocham.org/newsdetail.php?id=6684
[2]https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/14500/engagement-keeps-doctor-away.aspx
[3] https://www.workplacehealthsg.com/blog/adopting-a-digital-strategy-for-workplace-wellness
[4]https://www.workplacehealthsg.com/blog/adopting-a-digital-strategy-for-workplace-wellness