How to create a Corporate Wellness Program post COVID

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a new normal over the past year. The biggest change being the way we work. No longer do we have to commute to job sites where we spend the day with our colleagues. Working from home is the new norm and the corporate wellness industry has changed to fit that. 

Wellness now provides robust technology with expanded offerings to engage remote workers. There has been an increase in video-based content and webinars. With the pandemic adding to increased anxiety and stress levels in employees, mental wellness programs have become the primary focus. Wellness providers have pivoted and adapted to the new workspace. With a rapid increase in vaccination, how will the corporate wellness landscape change post-Covid?

Offices are preparing to reopen in the near future, but not at full capacity. Most employers want to try a gradual integration. This would mean a small portion of people coming to the job site 2-3 days a week. While the rest of the employees will still work from home. Creating a new challenge for wellness providers. How will the corporate wellness industry tackle hybrid working models?

Here is how you can create a great corporate wellness program post-Covid.

1. Continue the focus on virtual content

Video-based content and webinars are not going anywhere. Though people would come into work a majority of the workforce will still continue to work from home even after vaccinations. Besides virtual fitness and yoga classes, you can also offer webinars on topics from healthy eating to stress management or do virtual ergonomics and workplace safety assessments for remote employees.

2. Hybrid Corporate Wellness - a new approach to employee wellbeing

Employee satisfaction and health are strongly related to feeling part of a community. With a few employees coming to the job site, focus on having small group classes where social distancing is still possible. These classes can be live-streamed to the rest of the employees working from home. In this way, everyone can be a part of it irrespective of their location. 

To encourage participation, create wellness challenges, give credit to or highlight those who engage the most in your company newsletter. 

Offer both traditional gym memberships and online workout classes in your corporate wellness program. Despite the fact that there are people looking forward to going back to the gym, many others prefer to accomplish their exercise regimens on-demand or through virtual fitness and yoga sessions. 

3. Employee mental health is still key

High uncertainty over the economy, personal finances, and changes in relationships has put Americans on high alert. Over the past year, the prevalence of substance abuse and depression has reached its peak. In addition to providing traditional physical health benefits to employees, it is imperative that companies also invest in psychological wellness. 

And even though the pandemic might be slowly coming to an end, the future still remains uncertain. Businesses must strive to provide wellness solutions centered around stress, anxiety, burnout, and exhaustion while building an environment that encourages happiness and community. 

Provide workshops that offer your employees the chance to openly discuss mental wellbeing, address adjusting to life after a pandemic, and prioritize meaningful relationships and a sense of stability in everyday life. Another great option is to give your workers access to online counseling services for mental health or financial distress. 

4. Put your employees needs at the forefront

Put your employees at the center. Discuss their needs and wishes on a regular basis and ask them for feedback regarding the wellness programs already in place. Figure out what is lacking and work to fill their needs in mental well-being, physical wellness and nutrition. The effort you make will prove to your community how much you care for them as a company. This will inevitably lead to more satisfied workers, improved motivation, and higher productivity. 

In Conclusion

The last year has been about adapting to an environment that we could not have predicted. Keeping up with the changes and pivoting the corporate wellness industry as a whole. But this coming year is all about preparedness. We know what is going to happen and how the wellness landscape is set to change again. So we have to be ahead of the curve instead of reacting to the changes as we strive to bring wellness to everyone.