What's Corporate Wellness?

And why does it matter?

By Michelle Hawkins

Trying to define corporate wellness is a bit like trying to describe a gift before you’ve had the chance to unwrap it. It’s not what it appears to be by first glance, by feel, or even when shaking it about. It isn’t until you peel back the wrapping paper, cut through the scotch tape and pry the lid off the box that you discover something truly just for you, and maybe even, at just the perfect time. You discover an offering of an opportunity to embrace your best self.

It is amazing in how many ways it can manifest during your journey. And maybe, just maybe, if you peer a little deeper into that box you may discover what I found to be the even greater gift - learning that your organization (in some cases we call them our second families), that we spend a third of our lives with, day-in and day-out, really does care about our well-being as a fellow human. Along my personal journey this has led me to understand that a truly successful corporate wellness program is an unexpected offering of humanitarianism.

When most people think about corporate wellness, they picture a gym membership, maybe even a gym and showers in the same building allowing you to break away for a quick workout session without much time lost. Perhaps they picture endless snacks and treats available to the team, speed-walking around the campus, or those potentially uncomfortable midafternoon encounters with your cubicle-mates decked out in the latest yoga compression garb, and maybe even some ergonomics and nutritional trainings to support a healthier lifestyle.

Well, those people are absolutely right. A robust wellness program can be all of these things, and more. However simply providing some or all of these resources and opportunities will not guarantee a successful program in any regard.

Measuring success in any corporate program (my goodness, isn’t measuring what corporations do – investments, returns, rates etc., etc.), least not a wellness program, is an oftendiscussed topic. But not necessarily for the reasons one may think. Honestly, it’s actually less to do with bottom lines and rather largely about…well, wellness.

So, what does a successful wellness program look like?

Let’s begin by taking a look at what wellness is. If we examine, and genuinely agree with, the quote at the start of this article that “Wellness is a state of being” then we can then surmise that corporate wellness is a state of corporate well-being. Achieving a state of corporate well-being relies heavily on the notion that the company, its leadership and teammates up, down, and across offices and divisions must imbue its culture and champion the value - that the well-being of employees (the family) – is the cornerstone of its existence.

So where does success lie? A sincere program that is rooted in values that unmistakenly promote the well-being of people can create tremendous outcomes for everyone involved. In addition to the bounty of personal benefits like enhanced physical fitness (health and longevity) and a more focused and relaxed mind (mindfulness), the truest expressions of success can be found in the connectedness that is harnessed among the entire team through the process of participation. Connectedness creates an increased sense of personal value that can stimulate a deeper bond with and within the organization that in turn promotes a greater sense of employee ownership.

Engage me for a moment in a light thought experiment. Imagine, a valued and bonded team that is passionate about the health and happiness of their own personal lives as well as about the mission their company is committed to. Now, couple this with a new or reinvigorated authenticity that people often take on when reaching for self-betterment. And, we all can agree there is truth in the view that our personal authenticity goes a long way in creating a safer space in which others have permission to show up and be their authentic selves.

Taking this a step further, we can observe that when our interactions with others are sincere and honest (whether it be with a friend, family member, favorite teacher, doctor) the relationships that arise from them will form stronger bonds. Assuming this is true, then it also holds true for relationships between employees, across departments, relationships with clients, vendors and all new and longstanding trusted partners that we serve or rely upon. Therefore, what our little thought game reveals to us is that a wellness program is the way through which we can embody and equally impart our company’s culture. A positive measure of success I believe we all would agree.

Often what arises as a simple byproduct of the enriched wellness and experiences of employees –attained through participation in your wellness program’s offerings— is the improved overall health and happiness of the organization. But it is important to be mindful as you develop a program; it must originate from a place of genuineness and compassion. Overall, it is less about the specific types of wellness initiatives offered, and far more about the fact that the company cares enough to offer them in the first place. Whether through a state-of-the-art gym, or, by simply extending an invitation to go for a walk, the offering in and of itself should be a natural outgrowth and reflection of the company’s culture.

So in the end – which in this case really marks just the beginning – the success of a corporate wellness program rests in the hands and heart of those for whom it is intended; each and every employee serving any and all roles within the organization.

The concept of corporate wellbeing can only materialize when the employees genuinely understand the depth to which the company truly values and cares about them as human beings. When led from the top down, consistent with the values rooted in the culture of the company, wellness programming harnessed to improve the lives of people, can be channeled to illuminate all that is promising and exceptional about an organization. So, underneath that shiny wrapping paper and big bow must ultimately be a gift of the heart. For without that, how could one ever know where to even begin its “measure” of success.

Michelle S. Hawkins is Division Operations Manager & Corporate Wellness Chair for The Management Trust - Northern CA, ACMC.