“Don’t Tell Me What I Can and Can’t Eat!” 4 Simpler Ways To Promote Employee Wellness

We all know that healthy living and wellness are hot topics. With the adult obesity rate in America soaring to 37.5% and new research coming out every day about another chemical or preservative that will cause a deadly disease, how can we not talk about it?
But should employers go as far as restricting what employees can and cannot eat? One employer thinks so. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has decided that they will go vegan — and this decision includes everyone. Whether or not you choose to practice in your home, only vegan food may be eaten in the office.
I think most of us can agree that’s taking it too far. Those who are vegan, or know a vegan, know how much of a lifestyle change that is. To force it upon someone — even if just in the workplace — seems harsh, and it could predictably lead to losing employees and missing out on great candidates.
Want to promote employee wellness without turning away employees? Here are a few less severe options:

1) Offer a Subsidized Gym Membership

A lot of gyms offer corporate discounts — take advantage of that. Employees who would not go to the gym regularly may start adding it into their schedule, and employees who are gym goers will be ecstatic! If you’re really ambitious, go the extra mile and build a gym in your office.

2) Host Onsite Fitness Classes

This can double as an employee bonding and employee wellness initiative. Hire instructors (or you may even have some on your team) to come in and teach an hour of yoga or zumba before or after the workday. Another option could be organizing a running or biking club that meets after work once or twice a week.

3) Encourage Employees to Get Outside

Walking to get coffee or lunch can do wonders. Encourage your employees to get away from their desks for 30 – 60 minutes a day.

4) Have a Nutritionist Onsite

This may just be for the bigger companies. Hiring a nutritionist as a resource for employees will prompt them to be more conscious about what they are eating and how they are taking care of themselves. If you can’t hire a nutritionist, try to keep healthy snacks in the office. If you are going to provide the company lunch, make sure you offer a healthy option. If you are bringing donuts and coffee to a morning meeting, bring fruit salad as well.
There are many ways an employer can promote employee wellness without dictating how they live their lives. Get creative and have fun as a team!

What other ideas would you add to this list?