Finding and keeping talent is a tough challenge for many companies. In various sectors, “the war for talent” is raging. That's exactly why we want to encourage companies to go the extra mile for their employees when it comes to health and movement.
We'll give you plenty of tips and initiatives you can introduce as a company to boost wellbeing. What do you get in return? Happier, more productive, healthier employees who cost the company less money. Keep reading to find out more.
Food and health at work
#1 Provide employees with nutritious snacks
Nutritious snacking has plenty of benefits; it keeps the metabolism going, so the body has enough energy throughout the day. This means mental slumps and hunger spikes become a thing of the past.
So say goodbye to unhealthy snacks and soft drinks with no nutritional value; they disrupt the metabolism, are bad for the heart, blood vessels and cholesterol, among other things, and quickly bring back that hungry feeling. In the long run, they're damaging to employees' health.
#2 Hire a health-focused chef for the office
Bring in a chef who regularly prepares a nutritious, simple lunch. This way, employees learn what eating well really means and aren't tempted by sandwiches, burgers or other less nutritious meals.
Alongside the main meals, employees can also be treated to a nutritious smoothie made with fruit and oats. Thousands of combinations are possible.
#3 Teach employees about nutrition
It's well known that many people don't know enough about nutrition. So give your employees easy-to-read, digestible information. It's really not difficult, but it does take a bit of basic knowledge to get started. A few ideas:
- Put up infographics around the office
- Motivate employees to drink enough water, for example by giving out free refillable water bottles
- Provide simple, nutritious recipes for home or work
- Send a weekly newsletter about nutrition
- ...
#4 Introduce standing and active desks
Sitting still for too long is damaging to blood flow and, in turn, to brain activity. Consider introducing standing desks, letting people work while on their feet. Want to go a step further? There are also active desks: standing desks combined with a treadmill you can walk on at a very slow pace. Plenty of alternatives are available to help you stay active while you work.
#5 Help employees quit smoking
No comments required :-) ?
#6 Encourage hand hygiene
Washing hands regularly is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs at work. So encourage employees to wash their hands regularly, or use hand sanitiser. You can place the latter in various spots around the office. Disinfecting hands is then done in no time!
Sport and movement at work
#7 Partner up with a sports club or gym
Convince your employees to exercise by reimbursing part of their membership fee at a sports club or gym. Take the local gym near the office as an example. This lets employees unwind during a healthier work-out!
#8 Introduce yoga at work
Here at JustBite, we're huge fans of yoga. It helps the body relax, increases flexibility, improves focus... and the list goes on. So organise a yoga class at work, for example during the lunch break.
#9 Walking meetings
When the meeting allows for it, hold it outside instead of in a meeting room. Being outdoors lets the body take in the oxygen it needs, keeps it moving, and gives creativity free rein. This is really worth trying. Feel free to add "Outside" alongside the meeting rooms in the calendar.
#10 Organise a sports squad
Look around the company for enthusiasts who'd like to organise sports activities during lunch: for example, a 5 or 10 km run. Their job is to motivate others to join in. Feel free to add an incentive to make the group of sporty colleagues as big as possible.
#11 Set up a fitness room at work
Set up a fitness room at work with various equipment: treadmill, bike, trampolines, rowing machine... but you can also get pretty far with loose weights, mats and stretch bands. Provide a set of exercises for those who aren't sure how to get started right away.
#12 Encourage the use of stairs
Try to encourage employees to take the stairs. A few ideas:
- Use fun posters to show how many calories they burn by taking the stairs
- Turn the stairwell into a nice environment. Think art, colours, music... no one enjoys walking through dark, cold corridors
- Guide employees and visitors to the stairs with footprints or lines leading from the door to the stairs
- ...
#13 Encourage cycling
Motivate (and incentivise) people to cycle to work. It's good for their health and for the planet!
#14 Reward employees with massages
Great employees deserve a little extra! Treat them now and then to a massage, either on-site or at the office. Or pamper every employee regularly with a free 15-minute massage.
So, we hope we've given you a whole range of ideas you can introduce in the workplace today. Keep checking in with employees on what works and what doesn't through surveys. Lots of success!
What initiatives are you already doing at your office?