Workplace wellness programs are expanding to take a more holistic approach to employee health and well-being. Nine trends to watch in 2019 include expanding definitions of wellness to include stress, mental health, financial fitness, and lifestyle factors like sleep and nutrition. Employers are also increasingly using data analytics, personalization through technology, incentives and rewards, and mindfulness training to develop more tailored and effective wellness programs that benefit both employee productivity and satisfaction.

1. Workplace Wellness
9 Trends to Watch in 2019

2. Workplace Wellness
What’s trending in 2019?...
Wellbeing is increasingly being seen as both a strategy
AND a responsibility.
Many employers are putting in place innovative programs
for employee wellbeing. The aim? To both increase worker
productivity and meet new social expectations.
Here are 9 trends to watch in 2019 …

3. 1. Expanded
definition of Wellness
The future trend is towards approaching employee
health holistically. More employers are looking at
total workplace wellbeing, which can have an even
greater impact than just physical health.
Stress reduction, emotional health, financial wellness,
eating and sleep habits will all become important
elements of a holistic corporate wellness program
this year.

4. 2. Mental Health
Awareness
There is also increasing awareness about
mental health in the workplace.
In 2019, you can expect to see more companies
investing in mental health resources and
education to remove stigma and ensure their
teams are well supported. If employees are
happy and healthy they’ll be more productive
and more likely to stay with the company longer.

5. 3. Prioritising Self-
Care to reduce stress
People are less sceptical about how things such as
stretching and yoga, mindfulness and meditation can
impact general wellbeing, and there is a growing
demand for support from employers.
No longer an ‘indulgence’ – self-care techniques like
these are now considered essential by many, and are
helping to reduce stress and increase productivity in
the workplace.

6. 4. Embracing Data
Analytics
Data analytics continues to be the real game changer
for corporate health and wellness. By moving
programs onto digital platforms, companies can
better understand and manage employee wellbeing.
A digital platform also encourages employees to
share their photos, results and achievements.
Wearable integration, such as such as Fitbit or Apple
Health will continue to be important in 2019.

7. 5. Personalisation
Through Technology
Technology enhancements and connected solutions
will continue to grow. Smart phones and home
systems are part of our everyday lives and will become
the hub for managing our life and wellbeing.
Integrations with such solutions, and the
personalisation they offer through individualised
messaging and virtual / on-demand programs, will
become more commonplace in workplace wellbeing
and condition management programs in the future.

8. 6. Financial Fitness –
no longer off limits
The taboo around ‘talking money’ is breaking down.
Access to workplace financial wellness programs
continues to increase. A recent US survey found 53%
who did not have access to a financial wellness
program thought their employer should offer one.
Financial worries not only keep employees up at
night, but the emotional impact spills over into the
workplace, too. Employees distracted by financial
problems create significant costs for employers in
productivity and work errors.

9. 7. Using Incentives to
Target Challenges
Companies are using incentives, rewards and
nudges to encourage healthy habits and improve
participation. A good incentive system can have a big
impact on improving the value of your wellness
strategy, especially when paired with data analytics.
Employers can identify key health challenges, set
goals for improvement and create custom incentives
that help employees make healthy choices to
improve overall workplace health.

10. 8. Reducing stress
through mindfulness
Focusing on mindfulness - paying purposeful
attention to our experiences and surroundings - will
be making a larger appearance and impact in
wellness programs in the coming year.
Although mindfulness as a wellbeing strategy has
been popular for a while, more workplaces are
integrating mindfulness training to help employees
focus and unlock potential for learning, growing and
resilience.

11. 9. Tailored Workplace
Wellness Programs
Wellness programs are increasingly recognised for
their positive impact on employee satisfaction and a
company’s bottom line.
When a workplace wellness program is tailored to a
team’s unique needs, it can improve retention, reduce
healthcare costs and absenteeism and increase
productivity and performance.

12. Download our FREE Resource Guide –
8 Steps to Start a Financial Wellness Program
CLICK HERE
www.wellthyco.com
Want more?