- Wellness has moved to the center of discussions around the future of work
- It helps operators create a unique workplace experience and differentiate their offering
- In 2019 we expect to see greater emphasis on health and wellbeing at work, along with increased data usage to better understand and adapt to occupiers’ needs
Wellness has weaved itself into the center of workplace-related discussions. A survey from 2017 found that 78% of employees believed a company’s wellness program had a positive impact on their health. Additionally, 75% of them believed wellness programs had a positive impact on productivity and performance.
A research conducted by Optum earlier this year found that companies are now offering more wellness programs to promote productivity, improve moral, and aid in recruiting and retaining workers.
This year, Allwork.Space predicted that wellness would be a key workplace trend as more companies would adopt and implement wellness programs. We were right, and next year will be no different. As more companies seek to offer a unique workplace experience, many are using wellness as a way to stand out and ensure people feel their best.
What’s in Store for Wellness in 2019
- Wellness goes beyond Physical Health
The definition of wellness and health has gone far beyond physical health and we will begin to see more programs that focus on mental and spiritual wellbeing. While in the past most workplace wellness programs have focused on physical health, such as weight loss and becoming more physically active, we are seeing more companies shifting their focus to total wellbeing. Talk of mental health started to garner strength this year (2018) and it will continue on an upwards trend in 2019. Next year, you can expect to see an increase in the number of companies that adopt wellness programs that focus on mental, emotional, financial, intellectual, social, and spiritual wellness. These might take the form of meditation rooms, napping pods, stress management, going sans alcohol in events, hosting workshops, etc.
Suggested Reading: “The Best Snacks to Improve Cognitive Function in the Workplace”
- Wellness and Data Analytics Meet
Data has come to revolutionize (and maybe even simplify) the lives of people. Data already plays a key role in the workplace; it helps companies enhance their workplace experience by better understanding the way people interact with and use space. Similarly, data can help companies improve and customize their wellness programs; it can help them identify the programs that provide the best results, which programs are underutilized, and it can even help track an individual’s personal health. Using data in wellness programs can also make it easier to track and measure results, especially for programs that seek to improve productivity rates, stress management, prevent burnout, and improve engagement. Data can open a new world of wellness programs that companies hadn’t previously considered.
- The Built Environment Embraces Wellness
Companies are starting to use the built environment as an active tool to address and improve wellness. When designing or repurposing the workplace, companies are increasingly thinking about the materials they use and how much the workplace encourages movement and interactions. The Fitwel Rating and WELL Building Standard are two examples of how the built environment is changing to better cater to people’s wellbeing. The workplace is no longer a place where companies only want to maximize their use of square footage; they are thinking about how the workplace can actually improve a person’s personal and professional lives. Talk of workplace design today centers around air quality, access to water, stairs, temperature, natural light, and lighting.
