The success of any company depends heavily on the performance of its employees. The ability to function and perform at a consistently high level is dependent upon employee wellness. Enter the case for employee wellness programs.

Wellness programs focus on the physical and emotional well-being of employees, promoting the personal health of employees as a top priority. In return, employers should see a higher level of productivity. In fact, according to Corporate Wellness Magazine, every $1 invested in employee wellness programs yields roughly $4 in savings through reduced sick days, higher productivity and decreased overall health costs.

Employee wellness programs simply make good business sense. Here are the top 5 reasons to implement a wellness program in your company:

1. Improve productivity

The main goal of implementing an employee wellness program is to encourage employees down the path to a healthier lifestyle. With this as the ultimate purpose for wellness programs, an accompanying bonus is that healthier employees are more likely to have a higher level of energy and increased concentration. These factors will lead to increased employee productivity.

2. Contain your company’s healthcare costs

One of the most telling benefits from implementing an employee wellness program is lowered overall company costs. While it’s difficult to quantify what a company gains through increased productivity and morale, the benefits of decreased sick leave and lower health insurance premiums can easily be tracked and reduced costs for the company measured.

 3. Increase employee engagement and satisfaction

Implementing a wellness program is an efficient way to address a wide range of health initiatives. From fitness and exercise programs, health screenings, nutritional advice, and programs to manage stress, being able to provide these tools for your employees is a sure way to help address the overall well-being and needs of your employees. Let the results speak for themselves – healthier employees work harder, are happier, are more willing to help others and are generally more efficient. Unhealthy workers tend to be sluggish, fatigued and unhappy, and their lifestyle can have an impact on their work.

4. Boost company loyalty

Increased employee loyalty is another big bonus for those companies with an employee wellness program. This is an intangible benefit that you can’t put a price on. Loyalty among your employees can mean reduced costs for recruitment efforts, training and other costs related to turnover. Happy and engaged employees also promote a more harmonious working environment.

5. Attract the best talent

While factors like the aging Baby Boomer population and those bouncing back from financial hardships contribute to more and more workers delaying retirement and working well into their 60s, companies still need to court top talent of all generations. This means better benefits are necessary in order to attract and retain talent. Having a wellness program can give your company a leg up when competing for today’s top candidates who are looking for more from a potential employer.

With the current economic landscape causing higher health care costs, implementing an employee wellness program is something companies ought to seriously consider. Not only do wellness programs help promote a healthier workforce, they can also have a big impact on the bottom line by helping a company maintain a healthy, productive and satisfied workforce.