Employee Wellness Programs for Small Businesses: Ideas, Costs and How to Start

An employee wellness program is a set of benefits and activities an employer offers to support employee health: physical, mental, financial and social. Wellness programs aren't just for big companies. A small business wellness program can be simple, affordable and effective, and it can help employees feel better, stay longer and do their best work.

This guide covers what an employee wellness program includes, low-cost wellness program ideas for small businesses, what wellness programs cost, the rules to know, and how to build a wellness program at work step by step.

What is an employee wellness program?

An employee wellness program, sometimes called a workplace wellness program or corporate wellness program, includes the policies, benefits and wellness activities a workplace uses to improve employee health and well-being. Wellness initiatives can be as simple as promoting free preventive care, or as structured as health coaching and wellness challenges.

The best wellness programs focus on what employees actually need, not on trendy perks.

Why wellness programs matter for small businesses

Workplace wellness programs help both employees and the employer:

• Healthier employees. Programs that encourage employees to get checkups, move more and manage stress can improve employee health over time.
• Higher productivity. Employees who feel well are more focused and miss fewer days.
• Better morale and employee engagement. A wellness program shows people you care about them as people, which boosts employee engagement and employee morale.
• Retention and hiring. Wellness offerings are a low-cost way to compete with bigger employers for talent.
• Lower healthcare costs over time. Encouraging preventive care can help catch problems early, which may help lower healthcare costs for the business and employees.

The areas of employee wellness

Most effective wellness programs address several areas of wellness. Some frameworks describe "seven pillars of wellness," and most include these core areas:

• Physical wellness: preventive care, exercise, nutrition and sleep
• Mental and emotional health: stress, burnout and access to counseling
• Financial wellness: budgeting, managing debt and saving for retirement
• Social wellness: connection with coworkers and a sense of belonging
• Occupational wellness: meaningful work, growth and work-life balance

A comprehensive wellness strategy touches each one, even if only lightly.

Low-cost employee wellness program ideas for small businesses

You don't need a big budget to implement an employee wellness program. Here are wellness program ideas that work well for small teams:

Physical health

• Promote the preventive care your health plan already covers. Most health plans cover annual physicals, screenings and vaccines at no extra cost, but many employees don't use them.
• Run simple wellness challenges. Step challenges, hydration challenges or a monthly fitness goal, with small prizes.
• Offer healthy snacks in the break room instead of only sweets.
• Encourage movement with walking meetings or a gym or fitness-app discount.
• Support smoking cessation programs, which many health plans include.

Mental health

• Add an employee assistance program (EAP). An EAP provides employees with confidential counseling and referrals for mental health issues, family concerns and more. Many EAPs are included with group life or disability coverage.
• Respect time off. Paid time off that people actually take is one of the simplest ways to prevent burnout.
• Train managers to recognize stress and point employees to support programs.

Financial wellness

• Offer a retirement plan with simple education on saving.
• Share budgeting and debt resources, or host a short lunch-and-learn.

Social wellness

• Plan team lunches or volunteer days that build connection.
• Create an employee wellness day, a day off or a day of wellness activities to recharge.

These employee wellness program examples can be combined into a program that fits your team and budget.

How much do wellness programs cost?

Wellness program costs vary widely. Many effective options, like promoting preventive care, wellness challenges and flexible scheduling, cost little or nothing. EAPs are often bundled with other coverage. More structured programs, like health coaching or onsite screenings, cost more and are priced per employee. Start small, measure participation, and expand what works.

Rules to know before offering incentives

If your wellness program is tied to your group health plan, or offers rewards based on health results, federal rules apply, including HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act and the ADA. Participation-only programs, like rewarding anyone who completes a physical, are the simplest to run. If you're considering rewards tied to health outcomes, talk to your benefits advisor first. Always keep employees' health information private.

How to build a wellness program at work

1. Ask for employee feedback. A short survey shows what your employee population actually needs and wants.
2. Set one or two goals. For example, more employees getting annual checkups, or less burnout.
3. Start with what you already have. Review your health plans, EAP and retirement plan for wellness offerings you're not promoting.
4. Pick a few low-cost initiatives from the list above.
5. Get leadership involved. Program participation rises when owners and managers participate in wellness activities too.
6. Communicate often. Use email, team meetings and reminders so employees know what's available.
7. Measure program effectiveness. Track participation and ask for feedback every few months.
8. Adjust and grow the programs that help employees most.

How to encourage employees to participate in wellness programs

Participation is what makes a successful wellness program. To boost employee engagement:

• Keep activities short, simple and optional
• Offer small rewards for participation
• Make it social with team challenges
• Hold activities during work hours when possible
• Celebrate progress publicly (with permission)

Frequently asked questions

What is an employee wellness day?

An employee wellness day is a paid day off, or a day of on-site wellness activities, that gives employees time to rest and focus on their health.

What are some good wellness topic ideas?

Popular wellness topics include stress management, sleep, healthy eating, financial planning, preventive care, and mental health awareness.

Are wellness programs worth it for a small business?

For most small businesses, yes. Low-cost programs can improve morale, productivity and retention, and help employees use the health benefits they already have.

Build wellness into your benefits

Benefits On Us helps employers add wellness programs, EAPs and disability coverage alongside their health and retirement plans. Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call to see what fits your team.