Articles

Healthy Bytes

Your employees are your organization’s most important asset. If they are not reaching their full potential, then your company is not, either. When employees maintain healthier lifestyles, your business will experience increased productivity, engagement, and morale. This can save you up to $353 per employee in annual productivity costs and between $1.40 and $4.60 in medical expenses for every dollar spent on employee wellness. Considering top talent is seeking employers that prioritize health benefits, you will position your organization to attract valuable hires.

Food is Vital to Employee Health and Productivity
The human body requires the right foods to function. Neglecting one’s health with poor eating habits is considered one of the fastest ways to lose energy, but the impact of inadequate nutrition is more significant than employers might realize. The other effects of poor diet and nutrition include low stamina, a weakened immune system, decreased quality of sleep, and reduced performance. If employees lack nutrition in their diets, they will be less effective at work and will lack energy for other activities they enjoy.

Poor nutritional health can affect some employees more than others, particularly those with a physically or mentally demanding job, such as carpentry or teaching. Without enough healthy fuel, employees’ brains and bodies will get tired at the wrong time of the day. They can become generally exhausted, get sick more often, and potentially miss entire days of work.

These negative effects are detrimental to both employees and their companies. Ill or absent workers disrupt the organization’s overall performance and efficiency, and that can set back company goals for days or weeks. To best support workers and prevent setbacks, human resource managers should expand company health initiatives and encourage proactive nutrition. Here are a few ways that you may encourage proactive health initiatives:

1. Stock healthy snacks and make space for physical exercise.
   Building a fully outfitted gym or smoothie bar in the office is not necessary. However, HR managers should find creative ways to encourage employees to eat healthfully and engage in physical exercise during the day. A room to exercise in or a designated path outside of the office for walking or jogging can serve as great places for employees to stay physically active. Keep a supply of healthy and nutritious foods — for example, Greek yogurt, granola bars, and veggie trays — for all employees to enjoy in the breakroom. If there is not much space, consider investing in a small fridge or table to place snacks on. If employees work remotely, set aside time for virtual yoga sessions or healthy lunch dates. There is always a way to encourage wellness.
     
2. Recommend expert nutrition counselors.
   Physician visits are a routine healthcare service, but sometimes employees need more. Healthy eating is essential for maintaining one’s overall health, nutritional counseling is often a beneficial service included with many employee health benefit plans. Create a list of Registered Dietitians (RDs) who are in-network or partner with a service that will connect you with experts, who can help employees eat healthier and feel better. If possible, offer incentives for employees to take advantage of this service.
     
3. Encourage employees to be open about their needs.
   When people do not focus on their healthcare and nutrition, they are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. If employees have existing health issues, then their healthcare and nutrition needs may be more substantial. Encourage employees to be open about their specific needs and address any problems by adjusting employee health benefits when appropriate.

Charting a Path Toward Better Employee Health
When employees neglect their nutritional well-being, it impacts not only their work quality but every aspect of their lives. That is why HR managers should use the three strategies listed above to supplement their company health initiatives. If your organization is prioritizing employees’ health and wellness, consider looking into telemedicine nutritional counseling with Healthy Bytes. Our Registered Dietitians provide personalized, science-backed nutrition counseling to help employees improve their overall health at no extra cost to the employee.

Reach out today to discover how Healthy Bytes can empower your employees with the tools and guidance they need to live a healthier life.

Doug Purvis
Human Resources Manager
O: 646-630-7705
C: 314-608-3209