Holistic Workplace Wellness

Employees prize health and wellness, so much so they are willing to take a pay cut if it would mean having an employee wellness program at work. That’s what 41% of employees said in a Staples workplace survey. Find out the top wellness features that companies can offer!

Pain is cited as the most common reason Americans access the health care system and a major contributor to health care costs. Fortunately, a new study provides evidence and a reminder that the body has a natural remedy to manage pain that many people fail to take advantage: sleep.

In an era when companies are looking to expand their benefits to attract and retain employees, one organization says that it is reducing its generous package. The Gates Foundation announced a reduction to its paid parental leave from one year to six months, but offering $20,000 in childcare stipend.

A new study from HBS suggests employers are largely underestimating a “caregiving crisis” that impacts their bottom line. With nearly three quarters of U.S. employees bearing some caregiving responsibility, the breadth of the crisis impacts more individuals than other popular areas of well-being.

Employee retention is often cited as one of the top metrics uses to measure the contributions of employee wellness programs. Optum found that engagement in wellness programs was linked to greater employee retention not only among frequent participants but also among employees who opted out.

Climate change isn't just a matter of keeping the planet habitable for future generations or merely a topic for environmentalists. Climate change has very real health risks for individuals across the globe, which makes it bad for business and an important cause for employers to champion.

A survey from OfficeTeam suggests that wellness benefits are a must have. In fact, 73% of professionals said a company's health and wellness offerings influence their decision to work there, and 37% said that their decision is influenced a “great deal” by the wellness benefits an employer offers.

Should night owls be expected to work from 9 to 5? New research suggests that companies and employees fare better if individuals are allowed to work according to their biological clock.

Consumer Reports nicely summarizes what everyone should know about medical screenings: some may be life-saving, but others can waste time and money as well as pose risks. Employers would be wise to keep this in mind before incorporating biometric screenings into their wellness programs.