At the Wills Group, we put our team’s health first. We support our employees’ mental and physical well-being to help keep their Lives in Motion so they can reach their goals. With different activities like fitness challenges, counseling, and rewards for healthy habits, we aim to offer a well-rounded wellness program. This blog explores how we approach employee well-being and mental health, ensuring every member has the resources they need to thrive.
The Importance of Employee Well-Being and Mental Health
Workplace wellness programs have evolved significantly over the years, shifting from physical health to mental well-being. Nowadays, mental health support is integral to a positive workplace culture and is quickly becoming the norm, with 94% of large companies offering expanded mental health coverage like counseling, EAPs (employee assistance programs), and digital health services.
Employee mental health programs improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and align with efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To highlight this, Harvard Business Review points out that addressing the mental health challenges of younger and historically underrepresented workers can reduce turnover.
Workplaces must adopt accessible and innovative programs that support every employee’s mental and physical health in order to remain competitive and combat the growing prevalence of employee burnout. The Wills Group does this through a comprehensive wellness strategy, including fitness challenges and counseling, reinforcing our belief that a happy team drives success.
Comprehensive Well-Being Programs Offered by The Wills Group
To support our team’s holistic well-being, we offer a range of programs through Cigna designed to support both mental and physical health:
MotivateMe by Cigna
This wellness initiative rewards employees with up to $225 in gift cards for completing various wellness activities. It’s a fun and motivating way to encourage our team members to prioritize their health and well-being.
Health Risk Assessment
Our Health Risk Assessment helps identify potential health risk areas for employees. It assigns related modules, including games, peer coaches, or activities through wearable devices, to help individuals manage and improve their health in these areas.
Cigna Fitness Challenge
We believe in the power of physical fitness to boost overall well-being. Our Fitness Challenge encourages employees to engage in wellness activities like yoga and running, fostering workplace engagement and camaraderie.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Our Employee Assistance Program provides valuable support to our team members. It includes three free counseling sessions and assistance for managing stress, financial issues, grief/loss, childcare and eldercare issues, and more.
Virtual Mental Health Resources
We understand the importance of accessible mental health resources. That’s why we offer virtual mental health services through providers like Meru Health, Headspace (formerly Ginger), Talk Space, and Happify. These platforms empower our employees to seek support and improve their mental well-being conveniently.
These comprehensive well-being programs reflect our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member has the resources and encouragement they need to thrive both professionally and personally.
Building a Healthier Workplace
As Senior Manager of Benefits and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, my goal is to drive engagement in wellness programs, emphasizing eligibility for all employees. We promote these programs to every employee from day one, ensuring all new hires – at Dash In, Splash In ECO Car Wash, and at corporate – are aware of the resources available to them. Our team achieves this through regular communication and financial incentives like gift cards to boost participation.
One program that saw remarkable participation was the Cigna Fitness Challenge. Dash In employees teamed up to compete in various wellness challenges, earning prizes along the way. Teams are already looking forward to starting the challenge earlier in 2024. We love hearing outcomes like this. Feedback from these programs fuels our drive to innovate and improve.
Looking ahead, the Wills Group is excited to expand our wellness initiatives, starting with a year-long wellness challenge where employees earn entries into raffles of increasing value the more they compete. We’re also exploring ways to enhance our benefits plan, ensuring underutilized resources are promoted and fully utilized.
Fostering a Culture of Wellness at the Wills Group
As a company we believe in the profound impact of holistic wellness support at work. Our job is to ease the burden for our employees, making their day a little bit easier. Focusing on mental and physical health means fewer absences and increased focus, driving our business’s success.
At the Wills Group, each team member’s well-being is the foundation of our collective success. With comprehensive wellness programs and senior leadership’s active participation, we’re leading the way in workplace health and inclusivity. As we expand our initiatives and deepen our commitment, we remain dedicated to ensuring that every employee not only thrives but also feels genuinely supported in their pursuit of a healthier, more fulfilling life.