Heathy teams, healthy profits

One of the most valuable assets in any organisation is its employees: when their health and wellbeing are supported, they are better equipped to perform at their best. Employees' health is a key factor that directly and measurably impacts a company's overall performance and profitability.

Belonging to a healthy, engaged workforce affects attendance, productivity, job satisfaction, and organisational morale. Employee wellness can therefore be recognised as a strategic investment, and structured employee wellness programmes should be implemented to support both employees and business objectives.

What is an employee wellness programme?

An effective employee wellness programme is built on evidence based workplace practices that are designed to create healthier working environments. These programmes aim to improve employee health behaviours in a cost effective way, promote overall wellbeing, and enhance organisational productivity.

Crucially, the success of a wellness programme depends on its ability to move beyond surface level, feel good initiatives. While perks such as gym memberships, initiatives to quit smoking, and healthy snacks can play a role, they are not sufficient on their own. A truly impactful wellness programme should be results-driven, delivering tangible health improvements alongside clear business benefits.

Holistic wellness programmes include physical, mental, emotional, and behavioural wellbeing. These are integrated into a cohesive strategy that supports long-term health outcomes.

A practical example: Flexicare's FlexiFund

Flexicare is a good example of a holistic health cover that leverages a uniquely designed wellness programme. The FlexiFund benefit is designed to encourage employees to proactively stay on top of their health by going for regular health checks. Employees who complete their health checks are rewarded based on their assessment results.

The Health Check includes five key assessments:

• Blood glucose
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Weight status
• Smoker status

The better their wellness check results, the more money they can earn in their FlexiFund. The Flexifund can be used to assist employees with unexpected or additional healthcare expenses, including medication, diagnostic tests, and provider fees. By covering these costs, the fund helps members feel more confident and in control when managing their health, supporting healthier choices and more balanced lives.

The measurable impact of wellness programmes

To better understand the global effects of well designed employee wellness programmes, , a US based healthcare company specialising in evidence based wellness solutions, conducted research in this area. Their findings revealed several meaningful outcomes:

• Reduced cardiovascular risk factors, depression, and stress among employees
• Improvements in physical activity levels, nutrition, and sleep quality
• A reduction - and in some cases reversal - of chronic disease
• Lower absenteeism as a result of fewer health risk factors, increased physical activity, and reduced stress

These findings reinforce the value of implementing comprehensive wellness strategies that prioritise long term health outcomes.

Why wellness programmes make business sense

1. Reduced absenteeism
There is a strong link between comprehensive wellness programmes and lower absenteeism. Employees who actively manage risk factors such as high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and stress are less likely to take sick leave, resulting in greater productivity.

2. Lower healthcare costs through reduced chronic disease
Wellness programmes provide employees with the tools, information, and motivation needed to adopt healthier behaviours: from increasing physical activity and improving nutrition to reducing smoking and moderating alcohol intake. Over time, these positive behaviour changes lead to lower rates of chronic disease and reduced healthcare costs for both employees and employers.

3. Improved employee morale
Employee morale is affected by their work, their environment, and their organisation. Employees who feel supported and motivated tend to demonstrate higher morale. Conversely, low morale can negatively affect client service, product quality, and teamwork. While morale is difficult to quantify, organisations with strong wellness programmes often report healthier workplace cultures and improved financial performance.

4. Increased productivity
Healthier employees are generally more productive. A study conducted by professors at the University of California examined workers in commercial laundry plants across the Midwest during the implementation of wellness programmes. The study recorded a 4% increase in overall productivity over the year, with employees who initially reported poor health improving their output by 10.8%. Even employees who were already healthy at the outset showed productivity gains after participating in the programme.

Beyond productivity improvements, organisations also benefit from reduced costs associated with absenteeism, overtime, and recruiting and training replacement staff.

It starts with a commitment to health

Every business owner aims to minimise productivity losses linked to employee ill health, but where to begin is a challenge.

Investing in employee health is a powerful starting point. By ensuring access to health cover through Flexicare, businesses can support and reward healthier lifestyle choices, benefiting both employees and the organisation as a whole.

If you want to learn more about how you can cover your employees lets talk