HEALTH AND WELLNESS- A CRITICAL IMPERATIVE FOR CORPORATE

INDIA

SAAJIDHAAKBAR, I-M.COM

PRIYANKA, I-M.COM

B.U. ISWARYA, I-M.COM

SRI SARADA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN(AUTONOMOUS),

SALEM-16

ABSTRACT

Living a healthier life can not only extend your life, it can also improve the quality. Feeling
physically better and having control over your own life can greatly increase your mental
health as well. It is actually the company who have to take responsibility as the employee
work for the company and take the risk of health issues. They must be provided with proper
facilities to make an improvement in their health.

Keywords: Corporate wellness, Responsibility.

INTRODUCTION

The health of corporate India has taken a dive over the last decade owing to their sedentary
lifestyle, growing work pressures, and lack of harmony between personal and professional
lives, among other reasons. One out of every two employees in the country suffers from
stress while 43 percent of them have skewed BMI, as revealed in a 2016 study. It has also
been found that a large percentage of people in the corporate sector face the risk of diabetes,
hypertension, and other lifestyle-related disorders. In the light of such unsettling numbers, it
has become vital for organizations to recognize the need of creating a ‘wellbeing-focused
workplace’. Ill-health not just affects the productivity of the employees and increases the rate
of absenteeism, but also has a direct impact on an organization’s bottom line. According to an
ASSOCHAM report, the formal sector of India can save up to US$20 billion each year
through 1 percent reduction in absenteeism alone, and concurrently safeguard employees
against lifestyle and chronic diseases by adopting a strategically-designed ‘corporate
wellness’ programme.

How can corporate India develop a health and wellness culture?

The key to ‘corporate wellness’ is offering employees a series of benefits and activities that
promote their health and well-being. Here are some major initiatives that can help Indian
companies create a workplace that integrates a total health and wellness model into every
aspect of their business:
Promote preventative care

It has become imperative for companies to focus on general prevention by having medical
check-ups for employees at least once a year. Offering flu vaccinations, conducting
awareness workshops on general health issues, and taking group health insurance for
employees will encourage employees to prioritize their health. Simply offering a rebate or
incentive on healthcare can also work wonders!

Encourage exercise and movement

Nothing is better to stave off illness and ensure a healthy mind and body than getting
employees up and active. Incorporating on-site fitness centres, sports teams, marathons, or
guided yoga classes can be a great way to inculcate wellness culture at a workplace. Even
low-cost solutions like sit-stand desks, walking meetings, bike racks, or ‘deskercises’ can go
a long way to getting the employees moving.

Provide access to healthy food

It is an undeniable fact that food lies at the core of health and well-being. Corporate kitchens
should thus stock healthy snacks and drink options such as granola bars, fruits and nuts, green
tea, protein shakes, etc. to encourage healthy eating habits among employees. Providing
healthy breakfast and other meals at subsidized rates can also help ensure an environment of
health at the workplace.

Ensure holistic nutrition with super foods

There is a common belief that healthy foods are expensive and thus cannot be available to
one and all. However, there are many super foods that involve only a small investment but
offer big leaps when it comes to the health and wellness of employees. Providing them with
condensed super foods which are natural-based, such as berries, green tea, dark chocolate,
etc. will ensure their holistic nutrition.

Incentivise good health

For that extra motivation to keep health in line, companies can start various incentive
programmes for employees. From covering a part of their health premium for having a
healthy BMI to something as small as giving a cash prize for losing that extra flab, financial
rewards can work quite effectively.

Enhance overall well-being

Being physically fit alone is not enough to ensure the health and productivity of employees. It
is just as essential to improve their mental health and relieve them of stress through
mindfulness practices like meditation and breathing, emotional intelligence development
training, and counselling sessions. For a wellbeing-focused workplace, companies must also
build a culture where employees practice gratitude, encourage positive communication, and
have a deep sense of purpose and contribution.

Deploying these corporate wellness initiatives can help employers improve the health and
well-being of their employees, and consequently enhance their productivity, lower
absenteeism, cut health care costs, provide higher job satisfaction, and secure a long-term
sustainable competitive advantage. Health and wellness is thus the new fuel for driving the
successful corporate India of tomorrow!

CONCLUSION

Healthy living is a combination of many things, including good nutrition, regular exercise
and a positive attitude. Taking care of your body and feeling pride in your accomplishments
can improve both your physical and mental health. Likewise health workforce depends on the
workforce of the employees given to them. Looking after people is what the public sector
does – and they don’t stop with local residents. Health & safety and wellbeing teams look
after employees and make sure all workplaces stay safe, secure and healthy.

REFERENCE:

yourstory.com/2018/07/employee-health-wellness...