3 Creative Ways for Small Businesses to Keep Employees Healthy

Employees are an organization’s greatest asset. Therefore, identifying ways to keep them happy and healthy is central to the success of any business.

As a small business owner, there are simple, cost-effective changes you can make that will boost workplace morale and help you retain qualified staff.

Offer a group benefits package. If you want your organization to stand out, give your employees access to a group benefits package. Doing so will help minimize turnover and increase overall job satisfaction.

“Employees truly value these benefits, so organizations should encourage employees to provide feedback on whether they are happy with their coverage and try to adjust plans accordingly,” says Stephen Redmond, an employee benefits expert with Western Financial Group.

Redmond also explains that employee benefits are a useful tool for retaining and attracting employees. In fact, a Western Financial Group study found that 61 percent of Canadians identify employee benefits as very important to their decision when considering a new job.

Promote a healthy workplace. Formal group benefits aside, employers can also promote a healthy workplace culture.

Providing healthy snacks at the office or organizing lunch-hour activities like fitness and yoga classes, are just a few examples of how employers can keep their workforce active and employees’ minds sharp.

Businesses should also look to promote positive mental health in the workplace. Actively managing issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, can greatly improve the work environment. Providing employees with the flexibility to balance their work and personal responsibilities and offering the necessary support to deal with mental health issues will help ensure that you are creating a healthy culture.

Make work-life balance a priority. Limit how often employees take work home and ensure that you encourage your staff to use their vacation time.

“Companies need to promote their work-life balance policies year-round,” says Redmond. “Positive communication of benefits reinforces your organization’s commitment to helping workers achieve balance and gives employees the feeling that it’s okay to live a little.”

As a bonus, when the sun is shining and the weekend is calling, let your employees head out early. Many organizations use this as an opportunity to build employee satisfaction, by developing formal policies that give employees Friday afternoons or every second Friday off.

More information on employee benefits plans for businesses is available at www.westernfinancialgroup.ca.

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