10 Reasons Employees Hate Wellness Programs
1.My job is stressing me out
Many employees feel that their job is extremely stressful. A study by Harris Interactive found that 83 percent of Americans were stressed at work. Being in such an environment is detrimental to their health and will never motivate them to want to participate in a well-being program, especially if the employers want employees to figure out how to manage their wellness on their own.
2.My manager doesn’t get it
Sometimes managers fail to realize that their habits influence their team more than any email or reward. Many employees wish to have a healthy relationship with their managers but this isn’t the case at every organization. Great managers lead by example and influence change within their company. If the managers can share the values and importance of well-being with their team, they’ll develop trust, and increase participation.
3.This program isn’t for me
When it comes to offering wellness programs the cookie-cutter approach rarely works. Millions of dollars are wasted each year when companies force employees to participate in programs which are irrelevant to their lifestyle. Each employees has different passions and priorities, so the program needs to reflect that. Employers need to work with vendors who can customize programs to the specific needs of the current employees with a comprehensive offering of services and activities.
4.I don’t want my information shared
Many employees are skeptical about wellness programs because they aren’t sure who has access to their data. This can lead to animosity and distrust towards the managers. Certain information can be tracked and left private just for the employee to see such as weight, food logs, health markers etc. But if you want to use that info for surveys are research make sure you get permission. Always be transparent when asking employees to disclose their health data.
5.This program isn’t fun
The best way to motivate employees to actually participate in your offerings is to make it fun. Who wants to wait in line to receive pamphlets of health information that they’ll never read once they get home? How about hosting a survey to ask employees what they would like to do. We are social creatures who need human interaction and want our opinions to be heard. Take advantage of social media and work events to innovate your program and add a little fun to your activities. Set up a basketball hoop at your next health fair and invite your employees to take a shot for better health.
6.It’s too much of a hassle
Juggling the stress between work and everyday life is enough of a hassle, so there no reason to over-complicate things. If you want to have a successful wellness program, remember to keep it as simple as possible. Don’t overwhelm your employees with countless forms, emails, and objectives. Create a very simple dashboard where all the information can be found with a simplistic, yet user-friendly design. The easier the program can be integrated with your employee’s daily life, the greater the participation rates will be.
7.I don’t want to do it alone
Employees usually have friends at work who would join them and be accountability partners. Encourage group programs and activities with coaches to bring employees together and provide them with the motivation they need to stay on track with their goals.
8.I want to choose my own path
Employees want wellness “to be done to them, not at them.” In order to do this, don’t just give them a list of requirements that you think would best suit them. Provide recommendations while allowing flexibility so that they can pick and choose what they feel would work for them. This will empower employees to build self-efficacy, stay engaged, and achieve success.
9.We want to help our community
Working out, meditation classes, and health fairs are great aspects of a good wellness program, but don’t forget about community and environmental wellness. Offering millennials opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community is a wonderful way to increase workplace morale. Companies are finding that offering this as a perk is helping to attract and retain employees. In fact, 81 percent of the Best Places to Work for Millennials offer paid time off for volunteer work. Allow your employees to lend a helping hand for an organization that resonates with them.
10.We need technology
We are in the digital age and people are always on the go. They need to be able to access information as quickly and seamlessly as possible. People get turned off from having to log into a website, and rather have an app that makes the job easier. Employees need wellness solutions that are mobile friendly and allows. The more innovative your technology is, the better your program engagement will be.
