Your employees play an integral role in your company. Perhaps, it’d be safe to say that, without them, your business won’t exist. Hence, apart from providing proper compensation, you must seriously consider implementing wellness programs (like providing fresh fruits in your office) for your employees.
Studies show that the health of employees directly impacts the workforce productivity in a company. In fact, a report states that, in the U.K. alone, around 137 million working days were lost in 2016 because of employees getting sick or injured. As you probably know, lost working hours equate to lost opportunities and/or revenues. As a business owner, you are aware that these losses could terribly hurt your company. This is why, just like what other companies are doing, you should take initiatives to help your employees prioritise their health.
How do you ensure that you have a healthy workforce? You can begin by encouraging your employees to exercise. Experts say that exercising, even just for 30 minutes a day, can significantly improve a person’s health. On top of that, exercise increases the production of serotonin and endorphins, hormones which help regulate people’s metabolism, motivation and concentration. Therefore, aside from keeping your employees physically healthy or fit, exercise helps you have a focused and a productive workforce.
Recognising the importance of exercise, a number of companies have free fitness programs for their employees nowadays. For some large enterprises, they go as far as having exercise or workout facilities in their offices. There are also those which offer free gym memberships for their employees. Meanwhile, some small and medium enterprises organise a free weekly fitness session (with a professional fitness instructor).
Aside from encouraging your employees to exercise, you can also provide healthier food options for them. Instead of junk food, fresh fruits could be made available to your employees in your office. Studies show that eating more fresh produce like fruits during the day benefits the mind. It makes people happier, more creative and more focused. For your company, these benefits can lead to improved employee productivity.
Experts say that the aforementioned effects of eating more fruits on people’s office productivity may be attributed to the countless nutrients packed in them. For one, fruits contain nutrients which promote the production of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This brain chemical plays a significant part in regulating people’s engagement, curiosity and motivation. Meanwhile, certain fruits like berries, specifically blueberries, are rich in flavonoids which are noted to enhance memory.
Additionally, fruits also contain vitamins and minerals which can help your employees have a healthier body. For example, grapes are known to lower bad cholesterol and aid in the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure. Strawberries are high in anti-oxidants which make them very good in helping the body avoid inflammation.
Suffice it to say, fruits offer a lot of health benefits. Making them available in your office can significantly improve the wellbeing of your employees. Countless companies are already engaging in this practice. If you want a healthier, more productive workforce, you should do the same! After all, this initiative is fairly affordable, especially now with fruit suppliers offering various options for fruit boxes to cater to the different budget and needs of companies.
So, how exactly do you make your employees eat more fruits? The key is to make the fruits visible to and within the reach of your employees. Have fresh fruits available in your pantry. You could also place fruit boxes near your employees’ workstations. You may also place it in the reception area where your employees could see them the moment they step into the office. Lastly, you could designate someone to hand them fruits during snack time.
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