by Lauren Hewitt

Created on: October 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 08, 2008

Lunch-hour Yoga: Wellness Programs and Initiatives within the Workplace

On a rooftop patio, high above the hustle and bustle of the busy downtown streets below, twelve women maneuver their bodies into the yoga poses demonstrated by their instructor. The stress of their workday is put on hold as they focus on breathing and stretching, enjoying their weekly sessions which their employer, a mid-sized law firm, has organized for them. The yoga sessions weren't a big expenditure for the firm, but the benefits to the participants, as well as to the firm itself, have made it a worthwhile initiative.

More and more, companies are taking notice of the trend towards promoting wellness and implementing wellness policies and programs to ensure that their employee pool is given the opportunity to make healthy lifestyle choices and changes. While the individual health of an employee is not ultimately the responsibility an employer, accessible health programs and initiatives can be seen as a valuable benefit, both to current employees as well as potential new hires.

Implementing a wellness program doesn't have to be a costly venture for a company. Some companies subsidize external gym memberships, while others will invest in setting up a gym facility within the company itself with an affordable (or even free) membership for employees. Encouraging participation in externally organized charity events such as walks, runs or mini-triathlons not only promotes wellness, but also teamwork, community involvement, and an excellent opportunity for exposure for the company. Most often, these types of events involve a nominal entry-fee, which the company could choose to cover to encourage participation.

Organizing wellness initiatives allows for a lot of room for creativity. Hosting health-focused competitions within the company is a great way to get employees excited about making a healthy change, while giving them the chance to work towards a goal (such as weight loss or improved physical fitness), either individually or in teams. Prizes and incentives can encourage participation and don't have to be extravagant or costly. Having a volunteer-based wellness committee to plan, organize and implement these types of ventures helps to generate ideas and ensure that different needs are recognized.

Having a wellness policy and practices in place is a worthwhile venture for employers, as there are many benefits to the companies who implement them. Not only will healthier employees perform better, with better focus and increased energy, but they will also be better able to cope with stress, both within the workplace and at home. A healthier employee pool can lead to reduced health insurance premiums, which is an attractive benefit to those companies paying for health insurance policies for employees. Wellness policies and practices can lead to better employee retention, as the employees feel as though their employee cares for them and their health.

Back up on that rooftop patio, the women finish their yoga session refreshed, energized, and ready for the afternoon. They're stretching their way to health along a path paved by their innovative and forward-thinking employer.

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