Embracing and Navigating Workplace Wellness Trends in 2024

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As we approach 2024, it is important for companies to note how the landscape of workplace wellness is evolving and assess where their employees are in relation to these shifts. Human resources, people operations, and employee benefits professionals are encouraged to monitor the yearly trends in order to deliver corporate wellness programming that is relevant to the moment, meets employees’ diverse and present needs, and boosts engagement across teams.

This blog explores some key corporate wellness trends to watch in 2024 and offers ideas to help you transform your workplace and help your employees thrive in the coming year.

 

Embracing Occupational Wellness
Enter ‘Quiet Thriving’

In 2024, a focus on occupational wellness, one of the 8 dimensions of wellbeing, is set to take center stage, emphasizing quiet thriving, employee resilience, and adaptability in the workplace. This trend promotes an environment that nurtures overall employee wellbeing and success.

Quiet Thriving is a term coined by psychotherapist Lesley Alderman. As she describes in her recent Washington Post piece, this concept is all about employees making mental shifts and taking actions that help them feel empowered and engaged at work. This might include setting intentions, taking breaks for fun or wellness-boosting activities, or joining an interest group either in or out of the workplace.

Employers also have a role to play here – thriving is not just an individual pursuit. Employers should seek to adopt new policies and procedures, adapt existing ones, and embrace overall organizational changes that support their efforts to thrive and be resilient in the face of workplace stress.

 

Sustained Spotlight on Mental Wellbeing
Psychological Safety and Belonging Remain Key Areas of Focus

According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey survey, 92% of workers reported that it’s important to them to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological wellbeing. 77% of workers reported feeling satisfied to some degree with the mental health and wellbeing support they receive from their employers. At the same time, 55% of employers felt their employer thought their workplace was more mentally healthy than it truly was. This indicates that there is room for improvement in the coming year.

While traditional mental health benefits like employee assistance programs, therapy, and flexible work arrangements should always come first, these measures can be supplemented with holistic wellness offerings like meditation and breathwork sessions, movement classes, and even massage, all of which can positively impact mental wellbeing by reducing stress.

 

Sustainability in Employee Wellbeing
Explore the Intersection of Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Programming and Individual Wellbeing

Sustainability has emerged as a pivotal element in crafting holistic and enduring corporate wellness programs. By integrating sustainability into employee wellness initiatives, organizations nurture a culture of wellbeing that is not only supportive but also enduring. This approach which, could include everything from environmental wellness webinars to an overall emphasis on steady participation in ongoing weekly holistic wellness classes and webinars to improving office ergonomics aligns with the ethos of creating workplaces where individuals can flourish while contributing to a sustainable future for their organization, and for the world.

 

Financial Education Programs
Encourage a Holistic Approach to Financial Wellbeing

Organizations are recognizing the interconnectedness of financial health with overall employee wellbeing. In 2024, workplaces will increasingly offer financial wellness and education programs to empower employees with the knowledge and tools for better financial wellbeing. With the rising cost of living, uneven wage growth, and the increasing number of individuals with record credit card and student loan debt to manage, these services can provide needed stress reduction around money matters and help employees to take inspired action around their finances.

 

Embracing Technological Solutions
Empower Employees by Incorporating Technology for Enhanced Wellbeing

This trend caters to the modern workforce’s demand for flexibility and customized, on-demand content, and encompasses a range of tech-based solutions, from health apps to virtual wellbeing platforms, shaping the future of workplace wellness Enter the era of on-demand wellness platforms, empowering employees to access wellbeing resources and content conveniently. This trend caters to the modern workforce’s demand for flexibility and customized, on-demand wellness solutions. Companies will continue to actively explore technological solutions to enhance employee wellbeing. This broader trend encompasses a range of tech-based solutions, from health apps to virtual wellbeing platforms, shaping the future of workplace wellness.


By incorporating these trends into your organizational strategy, you pave the way for a workplace that prioritizes the wellbeing and success of every individual.

 

Dive Deeper into Workplace Wellbeing: Planning for 2024

When it comes to executing a successful workplace wellness program, consistency is key. At Urban Balance, we advocate for a comprehensive approach to holistic wellbeing at work and recommend that companies offer a well-rounded blend of holistic services and benefits, choosing those that are most compatible with their unique employees’ needs and interests. Whether it’s ongoing yoga or movement classes, monthly on-site chair massage sessions, or company-wide employee membership to an on-demand wellness class platform, your journey to a thriving employee population begins here. When your employees thrive, so does your organization.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area, and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

 

New in 2024: Discover the benefits of Urban Balance TV, a workplace wellbeing solution with 450+ holistic wellness classes designed to help employees achieve optimal balance in all areas of life. Membership options are available for companies and individuals.

Enhancing Employee Wellbeing with On-Demand Wellness Platforms

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In today’s fast-paced corporate world, ensuring the wellbeing of your employees is not just a responsibility; it’s a necessary piece of corporate strategy. As an HR professional, you know that a healthy, motivated workforce is at the heart of any successful organization. There are many ways to achieve this, but it all comes down to knowing how to meet the needs of your unique employees.

State of Employee Wellbeing
Over the past several years, employee wellbeing has emerged as a primary concern for organizations aiming to attract and retain top talent. It’s about providing more than healthcare benefits, and it’s about fostering an environment where employees thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. This shift towards holistic wellbeing is transforming the landscape of corporate wellness programs.

MetLife’s 2023 US Employee Benefit Trends study showed that while 88% of employers recognize the importance of demonstrating care for their employees, only a little over half of the workforce feels cared for. This study also highlights that employees’ holistic health has been declining over time due to financial anxiety and mental health stressors. 70% of employees want benefits that can be customized to their needs. Benefits that are customizable and convenient to use can translate into higher benefits utilization for companies.

In the age of hybrid work, one of the most customizable, convenient employee wellness benefits is access to an on-demand wellness platform. In this article, we will explore the numerous benefits of integrating on-demand employee wellness platforms into your corporate wellness program and employee wellbeing strategy.


Corporate Wellness Program Evolution

It’s no secret that corporate wellness programs limited to gym memberships and annual health check-ups, are no longer sufficient. Employees seek more comprehensive support for their wellbeing, and this is where on-demand wellness platforms truly shine. These platforms offer a wide array of resources, including on-demand video content, that employees can access at their convenience.

 

Benefits of On-Demand Employee Wellness Platforms

1. Accessibility Anytime, Anywhere

On-demand wellness platforms provide employees the flexibility to engage with wellness resources whenever and wherever they like. Whether it’s a quick yoga session during a lunch break, a meditation and breathwork session to de-stress after a long day, or a nutrition and cooking demo to help spark new ideas in the kitchen, these platforms cater to employees’ diverse needs and interests through delivery of content on a variety of topics offered in both shorter and longer formats.

2. Personalized Wellbeing

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to employee wellbeing. One of the greatest benefits of on-demand platforms is they offer a wide range of content, allowing employees to tailor their individual wellness journey. Some platforms even offer services like one-on-one coaching and mental wellness appointments to help meet employees’ needs.

3. Improved Employee Engagement

Engagement is a key metric in assessing the effectiveness of any wellness program. On-demand platforms make it easy for employees to engage with wellness resources on a regular basis, leading to healthier and happier employees. They can simply log in, press play, and engage with the content that best supports their unique goals, needs, and interests.

4. Cost-Effective Wellness

Investing in traditional wellness programs can be expensive, depending on the size of your company and what benefits you are looking to offer. On-demand platforms often come at a fraction of the cost while delivering a more comprehensive range of services through the ability to provide customized group membership rates to companies.

 

Urban Balance TV: Your Ultimate On-Demand Wellness Companion

When considering on-demand wellness platforms, Urban Balance TV stands out. With its extensive library of wellness resources, UB-TV is the perfect solution for companies who want to support their employees’ mental and physical wellbeing by providing them with mind-body optimizing, soul-nourishing wellness content they can engage whenever, wherever, to support their self-care.

 

Conclusion: It’s Time to Elevate Your Corporate Wellness Program

On-demand employee wellness platforms are creating positive change in the world of workplace wellness. They provide the flexibility, personalization, and cost-effectiveness that modern organizations need to enhance employee wellbeing. As an HR professional, it’s time to take your corporate wellness program to the next level with these invaluable tools.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area, and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of Urban Balance TV, a workplace wellbeing solution with 450+ holistic wellness classes designed to help employees achieve optimal balance in all areas of life. Membership options are available for companies and individuals.

On Workplace Stress: 5 Culture Shifts Employers Can Make to Help Employees Manage Overwork and Overwhelm

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Stress is a common experience in today’s fast-paced work environment, and it’s no secret that it can take a toll on both employees and employers. As the workplace has gone “back to normal” in many ways here in 2023, a new study from The Hartford found that a majority of workers (84%) indicate they are at least somewhat happy at work, despite the continued overall presence of burnout across the workforce.

It is essential for leadership teams, including CEOs, human resources managers, and chief people officers to implement practices that help manage overwork and overwhelm within their organization. This includes employee benefits programs that truly cater to the needs of today’s workforce.

 

Here are some ideas that can shape a healthier workplace environment where employees’ needs are met and where they are encouraged to thrive.

 

Foster a Positive Work Environment, Starting with the Basics

A positive work environment can go a long way in reducing stress and promoting wellbeing. This can include creating a culture of open communication, recognizing employee achievements, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development. When employees feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to be engaged and productive at work.

Promote Healthy Habits

Healthy habits such as regular movement, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in personal growth and development can help employees manage stress and improve their overall wellbeing. Attention to the many dimensions of wellbeing can also help boost relationships with co-workers, creating a more connected work environment.

As a human resources manager or employee benefits manager, you can promote healthy habits by offering holistic wellness programming as well as incentives for employees who participate in wellness-promoting activities.

Provide Resources for Mental Health Support

Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being, and it’s essential to provide resources for employees who need support. This can include access to an employee assistance program (EAP), mental health counseling, or mindfulness-based stress reduction programs. Within the realm of holistic wellness programming, consider meditation and breathwork offerings that allow employees to rest their minds, and wellness webinar topics that validate issues employees are experiencing. By providing resources for mental health support, you’re showing employees that you care about their wellbeing and that it’s okay to ask for help when they need it.

Encourage Time Off

One of the best ways to manage overwork and overwhelm is to encourage employees to take time off. This can include vacation time, personal days, or mental health days. Many employees feel guilty about taking time off, even when they need it. Encouraging time off not only helps employees recharge but also shows that your organization values work-life balance. When it comes to holistic wellness programming, offering on-demand content that employees can choose to engage with during their time off is one way to maximize benefits for both employers and employees.

Implement Flexible Schedules

Flexible schedules can help employees manage their workload and balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This can include options such as working from home, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks. The Hartford’s study found that although many employees believe their employees would want to work remotely full-time if allowed, only 21% of U.S. workers say they prefer this. When employees have more control over their schedules, they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed and more likely to be productive.

 

In Conclusion

Managing the effects of overwork and overwhelm is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace and avoiding burnout. As corporate leadership, it’s essential to implement practices that promote work-life balance, support mental health, and foster a positive work environment. By doing so, you’ll not only help your employees manage stress, but you’ll also create a culture that values wellbeing and productivity, which is rapidly becoming the “new normal”.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

 

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

Virtual Workplace Wellness Retreats: A Welcome Addition to Today’s Hybrid Workplace

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As we settle into the new era of hybrid workplaces, it’s more important than ever to prioritize employee wellbeing. The pandemic has forced us to adapt to a new way of working, blurring the lines between work and personal life. This has resulted in an increased risk of burnout and mental health issues. HR professionals have the responsibility to ensure that employees are happy, healthy, and engaged in their work. One way to achieve this through your company’s employee wellness strategy is to consider offering virtual workplace wellness retreats.

A recent survey of 3,400 people across 10 countries conducted by the Workforce Institute at UKG found that 43% of employees are “often” or “always” exhausted after the workday, and 78% say that stress negatively impacts their work performance. What’s more, work stress carries over from the workday impacting employees’ home life (71%), wellbeing (64%), and relationships (62%). Employees across the spectrum are feeling these impacts, from those with less seniority on up through management.

What we know is that holistic workplace wellness offerings can help employees decrease stress and anxiety, sharpen focus and mental clarity, and improve their confidence and happiness at work.

In this blog post, we will explore the role that virtual workplace wellness retreats in countering stress and burnout in the hybrid workforce and how Urban Balance’s offerings can support your organization.

 

What are Virtual Workplace Wellness Retreats?

While there are many possible ways to structure a virtual retreat, these events are often best implemented over the course of one day or multiple, providing employees with a designated, uninterrupted space set work aside and focus on self-care. Virtual wellness retreats can include a variety of holistic wellness classes and webinars including yoga, movement, meditation, nutrition, wellness self-care with opportunities for employees to rest, unwind, learn new things, and build camaraderie through something other than work. The best part? They’re fully customizable to meet the needs of your unique employees.

Improved Employee Well-being

Virtual workplace wellness retreats offer a unique opportunity for employees to focus on their physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees will walk away with self-care tools they can build into their daily routine along with a sense of nourishment and refreshment. By prioritizing their wellbeing, employees can reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and feel better overall.

Enhanced Team Building

Virtual workplace wellness retreats provide an opportunity for employees to connect with one another while having a shared experience in a supportive environment. By participating in classes together, employees can build stronger relationships and foster a sense of community within the organization. This can lead to improved collaboration, communication, and teamwork in the workplace.

Increased Employee Engagement

Offering virtual workplace wellness retreats can increase employee engagement and motivation. When employees feel valued and supported by their organization, they are more likely to be invested in their work and the success of the company. Virtual workplace wellness retreats provide a welcome opportunity for employees to take a break from their daily routines and focus on self-care. This can lead to increased motivation, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

Reduced Absenteeism and Healthcare Costs

By investing in the health and well-being of your employees through special offerings like retreats, you can reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs. Employees who prioritize their health are less likely to get sick and miss work. Additionally, by promoting wellness practices, you can help prevent chronic health conditions and reduce healthcare costs for your organization.

Improved Employee Morale and Retention

Virtual workplace wellness retreats can improve employee morale and retention. When employees feel supported by their organization and have opportunities to prioritize their well-being, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their job. This can lead to increased employee retention and reduced costs associated with turnover. Urban Balance’s virtual retreats offer a sense of peace and refreshment, promoting a positive workplace culture that can improve employee satisfaction.

Increased Cultural Competency

Virtual workplace wellness retreats can promote cultural competency by exposing employees to diverse wellness practices from around the world. By incorporating practices such as yoga and meditation from different cultures, employees can gain a better understanding of and appreciation for diverse perspectives. This can lead to a more inclusive workplace culture and improved relationships between employees from different backgrounds.

 

In conclusion, virtual workplace wellness retreats provide a unique opportunity to promote employee well-being and improve organizational outcomes. By improving employee well-being, enhancing team building, increasing employee engagement, reducing absenteeism and healthcare costs, improving employee morale and retention, and promoting cultural competency, virtual workplace wellness retreats can have a positive impact on your organization. Urban Balance’s fully customizable virtual retreat experiences offer a range of classes and activities tailored to the unique needs of your employees. Our goal is to help employees make their work life feel more sustainable, and for them to leave with a sense of peace and refreshment.

 

Contact us to schedule a retreat for your employees today and discover the benefits for yourself!
Ask us about our newest virtual retreat packages for 2023 including the Compassion Mini-Retreat, Half-day Virtual Retreat, Full-day Embodied Wisdom Retreat, and 6-hour Leadership/Management Virtual Retreat.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

4 Workplace Wellness Trends to Watch in 2023

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The global workforce experienced some big shake-ups in 2022, including the widely-discussed phenomena of ‘The Great Resignation’ and ‘Quiet Quitting’. Employees began the year with masking and distancing guidelines still in place, and many ended with navigating return-to-office mandates and newly formalized policies around hybrid work. It was a year of change, to be sure.

What has become abundantly clear a few weeks into 2023 is that employees expect wellness to be woven into their company’s business and leadership model – not just a quota-filling program or initiative. It has increasingly become an imperative – something employees are looking for and vetting prospective employers on.

Here are 4 wellness trends that companies are likely to prioritize in the coming year:

 

 

Mental Health & Wellbeing will Continue to be a Priority

Employee burnout continues across the worker spectrum, yet it appears Gen Z and millennial workers are experiencing burnout at some of the highest rates. According to a 2022 Deloitte survey of Gen Z and millennial workers, 46% of Gen Zs and 45% of millennials feel burned out due to the intensity/demands of their working environments.

The same survey found that one in four millennials and one in five Gen Zs do not believe that their employer takes burnout seriously, which indicates that many employers have yet to fully comprehend, let alone address, how burnout is impacting their business operations. This is an important issue for employers to focus on this year, with these two groups set to make up well over half of the workforce by 2025.

While mental health services and employee assistance programs should always be a first-line go-to in this regard, look to supplemental offerings like yoga, meditation, and nutrition classes to help employees stay in touch with the state of their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Hybrid Work = Hybrid Wellness Program

Organizations will continue to refine their corporate wellness programming for the hybrid workforce. The fall of 2022 brought many organizations increased certainty about what sort of structure they would continue with, be it a full return to the office, or a more formalized hybrid work model.

Many companies have adopted or are in the process of adopting virtual/on-demand offerings paired with on-site offerings like massage, cooking demos and yoga/movement classes.

For on-site programming, choose days when most employees will be in the office, like anchor days (or the equivalent at your company).

Memberships to on-demand wellness platforms have become a popular virtual offering for their ease of access and cost effectiveness for companies. Choose a platform that offers a wide range of class and webinar categories to increase the chance of appealing to a broad range of employees.

Financial Wellness Guidance & Resources

Finances are a huge stressor for employees given the recent economic climate. Soaring inflation and news of recession/widespread layoffs have been stoking a sense of uncertainty for some time.

According to the 2022 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey, 76% of stressed employees say financial worries have had a negative impact on their productivity. 25% of them say the impact has been severe.

Employers can take a multipronged approach to reduce employee stress around finances by offering personalized financial support, as well as more generalized classes and webinars on common topics such as how to set a realistic budget, how to navigate major financial changes, and how to talk with their partner about money.

Employees often benefit from programming that takes a holistic approach by acknowledging the psychological and emotional components of financial matters that impact many employees’ relationship with money and, thus, hinder their ability to make positive change.

Workplace Wellbeing is a Responsibility Shared by All.

While the employee wellbeing burden has been shifted off the individual in recent years and into companies’ court has been in the spotlight in recent years, the reality is that it is a shared responsibility – it takes two. It is the job of employers and employees alike to actively work together to foster well-being-centered, psychologically safe workplaces with an underlying sense of community and care.

It is also a great practice to have a network of workplace wellbeing professionals you can call on. Bring in partners who specialize in holistic workplace wellness programming to provide support when and where it is needed most, and whose offerings are diverse enough that they can be adaptable to changing employee needs.

If your company is seeking to uplevel its commitment to employee wellbeing this year in any of the areas outlined above, contact us for a complimentary consultation.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

How to Create a Wellness-Centered Hybrid Work Model

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Hybrid work is here to stay. Many knowledge workers are now able to work from home, the office, or anywhere in between. Hybrid work models have moved through multiple iterations over the last couple of years as companies refine their approach based on employee preferences and business objectives.

According to research conducted by Harvard University, 1-2 days in the office is the sweet spot for optimal productivity while meeting the need for interpersonal connection. Many companies now recognize this 1-2 days in/3-4 days from home model to be the most well-organized method for hybrid work.

With employees splitting their time between various locations, how can companies create a cohesive experience for all? How can leadership bridge the gap to create a consistent experience of company culture while centering employee wellness?

  • Listen to employees. Make them feel heard and confirm their opinions are valued. Psychological safety at work is of the utmost importance. Defined as a feeling of interpersonal trust and an overall culture of respect and inclusivity that invites members to show up as their whole selves, take risks, and innovate, psychological safety is a baseline requirement for a healthy, thriving workplace culture. Employers should welcome open dialogue about what employees need and what wellbeing supports they would like to see offered in the workplace – and be prepared to hear and act upon the feedback given. To facilitate this process, invest in listening tools and consistent surveying to stay aware of what would truly support their wellbeing in the hybrid work environment.
  • Provide benefits employees want and most importantly, ensure they know how to access them.
    According to a 2022 MetLife study, 73% of employees said that a wider benefit offering would entice them to continue working for their current employer for longer. Make sure they know how to access what is available – especially any newly-added offerings – whether that is through the company intranet or other means. Communication is one of the keys to success.
  • Focus on mental wellbeing.
    When it comes to mental wellbeing, there are a number of ways that companies can demonstrate care. By making it easy to access EAP and other core wellness benefits, providing a range of holistic wellness offerings that support employees in their lives, and investing in managers who lead with empathy, your company increases its chances of impacting employees who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing.
  • Build flexibility into the employee experience wherever possible.
    Many employees enjoy the flexibility that accompanies hybrid work – things like or being able to prepare and eat healthier lunches, care for the kids after school, or switch a load of laundry over between meetings. Consider updating hybrid work model policies to include flexible scheduling and flexible PTO if these are not already offered. According to recent Gallup surveys, companies that do not support remote flexibility are those that tend to see lower engagement, wellbeing, higher intent to leave, and higher levels of burnout.
  • Include holistic wellness programming into the hybrid work model in new and creative ways. Keep revamping your offerings, trying new things, and don’t worry about getting it wrong. The pandemic provided us with the great “work from home” experiment, and the workforce proved it was possible to sustain. Building a world of work that works for everyone hinges upon a willingness of CEOs and human resources leaders to deliver what employees want along with the flexibility to make use of those benefits to be well and feel sustained in their hybrid role.

That last point – getting creative. It can be a challenge when juggling so many responsibilities. That’s where workplace wellness partners like Urban Balance can help. Download our Offerings Brochure to learn more about how.

 

Ways to incorporate holistic wellness programming into your hybrid work model:

  • Anchor Days – Does your company use anchor days as part of its hybrid workplace strategy? Within these anchor (or on-site) days, get creative with incorporating wellness-centered experiences that capitalize on and celebrate employees being together.
    Check out this recent post for ideas to help bring your company’s anchor days to life.
  • On-site Chair Massage – chair massage is an employee favorite that helps reduce stress and tension. Schedule short, in-office sessions to encourage employees to visit the office monthly or quarterly. Alternately, schedule this service on anchor days when most employees will already be reporting to the office.
  • Lunch and Learn Sessions – create learning opportunities around topics that are the most relevant to employees and the challenges they are facing at work and in life. Topics like navigating stress and burnout have been popular in recent months, along with nutrition talks and cooking demos. Consider holding the presentation on-site and broadcasting it to those working remotely. Companies can also offer a webinar that on-site employees can view together in the conference room that remote employees may join individually.
  • Yoga & Movement Classes – no matter where employees are working from, one thing many people discovered during the pandemic is the importance of movement for mental health and maintaining an overall sense of wellbeing. Yoga and movement classes are a fantastic way to bring employees together, help them breathe and move stress through, and help them feel a little calmer as they navigate their workday. As with lunch & learns and webinars, bring a teacher on-site for a live class and broadcast it out to employees working from home, or have everyone attend remotely from their respective locations.
  • Special Events – virtual events like employee retreats and wellness weeks have become a popular option for companies wanting to bring employees together for a wellness experience regardless of location.

Creating a wellness-centered hybrid work model can be a bit of a balancing act – one that requires adaptation and ongoing refinement to ensure effectiveness, just like any other workplace program or initiative. However, this effort will help to enhance your company’s bottom line, retain employees, and lead toward a healthier, happier workforce.

If your company is ready to uplevel its workplace wellness strategy, contact us.

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

How Employee Wellness Programming Can Bring Company Anchor Days to Life

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The pandemic has created a major shift in where and how we work. It has also made many people question why they go to work, resulting in the widely-documented phenomena of ‘The Great Resignation’ and ‘quiet quitting’. massive changes in workforce demographics with employees abandoning low-wage jobs, embarking on new career paths, or taking early retirement.

One of the shifts we’ve been particularly attuned to in the hybrid era is the fact that, within many organizations, on-site workdays are now holding the place that company off-sites once did.

Research conducted by Harvard University shows that 1-2 days in the office is the sweet spot for optimal productivity and fulfills employees’ need for interpersonal connection. In fact, many companies now recognize this 1-2 day in-office and 3-4 day work-from-home model to be the most well-organized method for hybrid work.

Companies have embraced the shift and are responding to schedule preferences as a demonstration of their commitment to employee wellbeing. At the same time, another hybrid workplace trend is on the rise. Commonly referred to as “Anchor Days”, “Super Days” or “All-Employee Days”, these terms refer to specific days – perhaps monthly or quarterly– where either all employees or certain teams commit to being in the office.

Since one of the main purposes of these days is to revive office culture, they’re often targeted for all-team meetings, town halls, and or other presentations/events.

Well-executed anchor days can be highly beneficial for everyone from brand new and entry-level employees to upper management. As with any workplace cultural initiative, implementation requires strategic planning, communication, and ongoing assessment to ensure their value proposition is clear. In other words, if employees perceive that anchor days are simply an attempt to mandate their work location without a well-communicated purpose and added incentives, getting full buy-in may prove challenging.

There is of course no manual for how to design the perfect anchor day, and if there were, it would read differently depending on the industry and the company’s cultural values. The pandemic has motivated companies across the globe to uplevel their commitment to employee wellbeing through the implementation of strategic programming designed to support employees’ holistic wellbeing. If this is the case for your company, anchor days present the opportunity to prove its commitment to wellbeing.

A few benefits of anchor days include:

 

Meaningful Face-to-Face Time
Employees can use anchor days to their advantage to establish new connections and nurture existing relationships with their peers. They also get face-to-face time with management that they might not have had when working remotely, which better positions them for promotions. Employees can stop by each other’s desks, ask a quick question, or give updates on a project’s status. WFH employees do not interact with management as much as those working on site, which may put them at a disadvantage in these areas, being out of sight, out of mind.

According to a 2020 study in the UK, WFH workers were less than 50% as likely as on-site workers to receive a promotion. The more out of sight, out of mind an employee is, it increases the likelihood they’ll be passed over, which doesn’t benefit the employee or your company in the end, as it may impact your ability to retain them.

Efficiency in Learning & Development
Research points to the fact that today’s employees are hungry for professional learning and growth opportunities. At the height of the pandemic, companies had no choice but to deliver new employee training virtually. There is nothing like face-to-face time with seasoned professionals to help kickstart their journey with your company. Professional development opportunities for seasoned workers may also be more effective for both instructors and employees when delivered in person. Build training sessions into anchor days to champion growth & learning within the culture.

An Opportunity to Showcase Commitment to Workplace Wellness
Anchor days present the perfect opportunity to for companies to prove their commitment to employee wellness – to walk their talk, so to speak. Companies should look to wellness-oriented team-building activities and programming to add value. Be sure to consider how these activities can fit into the agenda without creating stress by packing the days too full, which can counteract the benefits

Bring anchor days to life by infusing them with holistic wellness experiences that promote self-care, foster community, and boost morale.

 

Here are a few anchor day wellness programming ideas to get you started:

 

  • Offer chair massage – while chair massage is always a hit with employees, offering convenient, 10-minute time blocks works especially well in fast-paced, high-stress workplaces where employees are on the go.
  • Schedule an On-site Cooking Demo – great for nutrition-conscious team members and those who love to cook. Choose from one of our most popular topics, or we can customize!
  • Factor in Financial Wellness – if your company is looking to enhance its financial wellness support system for employees, help remove the stigma of talking about money. Invite an expert to give a financial wellness talk and facilitate a fun, thought-provoking financial wellness game or activity that invites employees into a healthy relationship with their finances.
  • Sponsor Lunch & Learn Sessions – provide lunch break learning opportunities to support employees with things like self-care, stress reduction, mindfulness, work-life balance, and goal-setting.
  • Sprinkle in Movement Experiences – from creative movement to fitness challenges to on-site yoga classes, adding movement is a great way to diffuse stress and get employees together for a shared experience that’s fun and relaxing.
  • Host an employee health fair – these are a great opportunity for employees to learn about the benefits available to them and create a nice engagement opportunity while everyone is on-site.

Ready to plan some creative, new team-building activities for your company’s on-site anchor days? Contact the hybrid workplace wellness specialists at Urban Balance to explore the possibilities and book your experience!

*Urban Balance’s on-site services are available in the Portland Metro area only. Virtual events are available worldwide.

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

employee-wellness-webinar

5 Reasons to Include Employee Wellness Webinars in your Workplace Wellness Strategy

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The ongoing strain on employees’ mental health and sense of psychological safety at work is taking an enormous toll on today’s workforce. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2022 Report, based on surveys which were conducted in 2021 and released in June of this year, employee stress and detachment at work remain at an all-time high, second only to the results of the same Gallup surveys done in 2020.

Among the shifts needed to improve these circumstances, employees need to know their employer is well-attuned to their individual needs and is dependable in supporting them. This support is essential because while many employees know they would be well-served to engage in activities that support their overall wellbeing such as movement and exercise, making nourishing food choices, and getting quality sleep, the demands of work ultimately pull them away from their goals.

Some employees can become addicted to busyness, stress, achievement, and people-pleasing without recognizing it. The urge to stay busy at the expense of wellbeing can even be a trauma response in some individuals. The pull toward stress and overwork becomes even harder to break away from in workplaces where external validation for these tendencies is everywhere.

With all of this being the case, there is a need for employee benefits teams to skillfully curate programming that is creative, varied, offered consistently, and is relevant to employees’ current needs. One approach HR managers, wellness coordinators, and employee benefits professionals can take is to offer regular employee wellness webinars, which introduce important topics related to holistic wellbeing and can help bridge the gap between where employees are across the dimensions of wellbeing, and where they want to be.

Here are 5 top benefits of offering employee wellness webinars:


They are a convenient type of programming for today’s hybrid workers.

In hybrid workplaces, employee wellness webinars hold a similar space to lunch & learn sessions, only they are delivered virtually and thus, can be accessed no matter where your team is working.

They help integrate health and wellness habits into the company culture.

Consistently offering webinars inspires the adoption of healthy habits and curiosity about new avenues for growth. Both employees and management might consider ways to integrate the information, not only personally, but companywide.

They promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace through engagement around holistic topics.

Uniting employees around the common goal of improved wellbeing empowers everyone involved and can help to jump-start conversations around supporting mental wellbeing on both a personal and organizational level. With so much uncertainty, change and trauma in the world, which is not separate from our workplaces, ongoing support for mental wellbeing will remain essential.

They encourage employees to build self-awareness and accountability.

Whether live and interactive or on-demand, wellness webinars give employees space to reflect on how the topic relates to their current life and start asking questions. What might they add to or let go of in their life? What shifts in thinking are necessary? What support might they ask for from their boss or their peers? Holistic employee wellness webinars can create an opening for this type of inquiry.

They include practical takeaways employees can implement in their everyday lives.

By engaging with webinar topics in the group format, employees will pick up new tools and ideas they can integrate into their regular routine. They will also gain insight into challenges their co-workers might be facing, which can lead to increased empathy.

In summary:

Incorporating employee wellness webinars into your corporate wellness plan can help your company create a culture shift that puts employees first and gives rise to a new standard of employee wellbeing.

 

Employee Wellness Webinars with Urban Balance

Guided by wellness professionals who are skilled at holding space and normalizing the many different employee experiences related to the topic at hand, our presenters encourage participation while inspiring comfort in their audiences.

When you work with us as a wellness webinar provider, you can schedule a single webinar, or a bundle of 3 or 6 for added impact. View all of our bundle and program options here.

These may be offered via livestream presentation, with or without a recording. Both are great options for those looking for an interactive group activity. Webinars are also available via on-demand video giving employees the convenience of being able to view at any time.

Want an expanded, yet flexible learning experience?

Consider an on-demand wellness webinar series. We’ll work with you to curate an impactful array of webinars that meet employees where they are to inspire learning and growth.

Browse a wide array of topics related to general holistic wellbeing, financial wellbeing, and environmental wellbeing, then contact us to get started!

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

The Role of Chair Massage in the Workplace

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Chair massage was easily one of the most popular corporate wellness offerings prior to the pandemic. With the return to the office underway at many companies and levels of uncertainty, stress, and anxiety still running high, this employee favorite is making a well-deserved comeback.

Why do so many employees jump at the opportunity for a chair massage? One reason is that touch is powerful – we all need it to some degree. The lack of touch, or touch deprivation, is actually connected with negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and immune system dysfunction.

During the crisis phase of the pandemic which had us isolating ourselves and social distancing like never before, collectively we learned just how much we need touch. Corporate HR, benefits, and wellness managers should be aware that it is something many of their employees have missed these past few years.

Benefits of Chair Massage at Work

Chair massage is known to reduce stress, decrease anxiety and depression, relieve muscle tension & headaches, increase focus and energy, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, increase immune function and improve range of motion.

Typically offered in 5-to-15-minute micro sessions, chair massage is a portable form of massage in which the therapist has access to the upper body including the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. Massaging these areas reduces muscle tension, revives connective tissue, and energizes the individual.

Chair massage is a wonderful corporate wellness service for employers to provide employees who are experiencing chronic stress at work. For years now, scientifically supported studies (here and here, among the many) have shown that massage benefits employees in a multitude of ways, primarily through helping to mitigate the corrosive effects of work stress.

Lastly, though corporate chair massage can be offered as a one-off service, it will always be most beneficial when offered regularly and/or bundled with other holistic wellness services like yoga & movement classes, meditation & breathwork, nutrition talks & cooking demos, and employee wellness webinars.

When and Where to Offer Workplace Chair Massage

The best part of corporate chair massage service for employers is that, with a licensed massage therapist (LMT) coming right to your office, you’re bringing workplace wellbeing to your employees right where they are.

While chair massage can be offered anytime for any reason (trust us, you don’t need a special occasion to offer chair massage at your office – employees love it no matter the circumstances!) this service makes a great add-on to on-site health fairs, back-to-the-office parties, and other employee gatherings. It is a terrific way to say “thank you” to new and veteran employees alike after the many challenges of the past few years.

Scheduling regular, convenient chair massages at work is a wonderful way to eliminate employees’ excuses for self-care and in these present times can help decrease the stress of heading back to the office.

Chair Massage with Urban Balance

We partner with some of the most skilled and experienced professional massage therapists in the Portland metro area. Our LMTs are fully vaccinated and take all the appropriate COVID safety precautions, including wearing masks and sanitizing surfaces between clients.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation or schedule corporate chair massage services for your Portland, Oregon employees!

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with over 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.

7 Wellness Services to Integrate into Corporate Meetings and Events

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Does your organization have a conference, training, or all-company meeting coming up? Promote workplace wellbeing by adding holistic corporate wellness services to the agenda.

Including wellness services in these types of events provides attendees with opportunities to rest, digest, and re-energize, striking a balance between work and self-care within an otherwise busy event schedule. Services like yoga & movement, meditation & breathwork, and massage can help attendees move through the day feeling more focused, centered, and engaged. This helps to ensure they get the most out of the experience and increases the likelihood your company can call the event a success.

There are many ways to incorporate holistic wellness services into events, but the best strategy is to make sure the offerings are relevant to what employees or attendees really need. Important topics in corporate wellness right now include employee mental health, the role of exercise in mental wellbeing, creating a culture of belonging and care at work, and recovering from and preventing burnout.

The following holistic corporate wellness services make a powerful addition to both virtual and in-person events:

  • Keynote Speakers
    Conferences and meetings revolve around business needs, but they are also about human connection. Create a culture of wellbeing within your event by inviting speakers who motivate and inspire on topics related to employee wellbeing.
  • Chair Yoga
    Chair yoga pairs well with many different corporate events, especially those where attendees are sitting in an event room for extended periods of time without much space to move around, or they are attending virtually and are glued to their screens for hours on end. No special props or clothing are required for chair yoga. Attendees may practice just as they are.
  • Breathwork & Meditation
    Even a minute or two of conscious breathing has been shown to create a measurable increase in focus, concentration, and an overall sense of wellbeing. Bring in a meditation teacher to guide attendees through a simple, yet profound experience of noticing their breath and feeling into the present moment.
  • Mindfulness Talks & Guided Meditation
    Mindfulness talks and meditation sessions make a nice addition to the start or end of a meeting or even a midday break. These offerings help attendees move into a more relaxed, cooperative headspace and feel more connected with the present moment so they can engage meaningfully throughout the day.
  • Wellness Webinars
    Hosting a virtual event? Wellness webinars make a terrific addition to the day. No matter where employees are attending from, they can tune in and explore wellness topics designed to enhance their life, from living more simply and creating healthy habits to recovering from burnout.
  • Nutrition Talks
    Help attendees make sound nutritional choices both during the event and in their daily lives with nutrition talks. Led by certified nutritionists, these webinar-style presentations are packed with nutrition facts, insights, and tips to educate employees while empowering them to make skillful dietary choices.
  • Chair Massage
    Bring in massage therapists to offer chair massage to attendees in short intervals. A long-time staple in the landscape of corporate wellness offerings, chair massage is known to benefit busy professionals in a variety of ways. It can reduce stress, enhance circulation, boost the immune system, relieve pain, and even act as a mood-booster.

Work with True Wellness Professionals

When choosing workplace wellness vendors for your event, be sure you are collaborating with credentialed professionals who are able to adapt their classes or services to meet the needs of different groups and individuals. The Urban Balance team of wellness providers understands how to adjust their presentation style to match a company’s culture and ensure their classes flow efficiently and effectively.

Interested in planning a virtual wellness retreat, wellness week, or employee health fair? Visit our website to discover our full range of event options.

 

*When working with Urban Balance, on-site services are available in the Portland Metro area only. Virtual events are available worldwide.

 

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Urban Balance is the premier provider of comprehensive on-site corporate wellness services including massage in the Portland, Oregon metro area, and offers virtual workplace wellness programming worldwide. We deliver livestream and on-demand classes, webinars, and special events to the workplace environment for happier employees and a healthier bottom line.

Browse our virtual wellness services catalog with offerings including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, Barre Sculpt, meditation, nutrition, learning opportunities, and more.

Discover the benefits of the Urban Balance on-demand video library, a workplace wellbeing solution with over 350+ holistic wellness classes. Includes membership options for companies and individuals.