How to Increase Productivity by 20% with a Corporate Wellbeing Program
- Kelly Mulhall
- Jun 20
- 5 min read
Keeping employees happy and motivated can be a pretty tough brief. Compensation is usually what staff want but if your business' bottom line doesn't stretch that far, how else can you stay competitive - and productive as a business?
Companies are always looking for ways to boost efficiency and drive results, and so thinking about what staff are eating and how they're sleeping likely doesn't come into the equation. So while some may focus on optimising workflows or investing in new technologies, there’s a more powerful and sustainable strategy that’s often overlooked—employee wellbeing. There. area few studies out there now that have shown that a well-designed employee wellbeing programme can lead to significant improvements in productivity. In fact, by prioritising the health and wellness of your workforce, you could see a productivity boost of up to 20%. Now can you imagine if a tech automation software delivered 20% increase in productivity - you'd sign on the bottom line then and there!
Here’s how implementing a comprehensive wellbeing programme can make that happen.
1. Reduce Burnout and Stress
One of the leading causes of decreased productivity in the workplace is burnout. Employees who are constantly stressed, overworked, or mentally drained are unlikely to perform at their best. In fact, stress is not only a productivity killer but can also lead to health issues like anxiety, depression, and physical ailments.
An employee wellbeing programme can address this by providing resources to help employees manage stress. Initiatives like mindfulness workshops, learning new stress management techniques, and understanding what foods to eat to mental health support can go a long way in helping employees handle workplace pressures more effectively. By giving employees the tools to manage their mental health, you create a more balanced workforce that can focus better and work more efficiently.
2. Boost Physical Health with Wellness Initiatives
Physical health is another important aspect of employee wellbeing that directly affects productivity. Employees who feel physically well are more energetic, focused, and capable of tackling their work tasks. On the other hand, poor health, such as obesity, chronic pain, or lack of exercise, can lead to fatigue, absenteeism, and slow performance.
But these days, this means more than offering a subsidised gym membership. Firstly, it has to be accessible when employees have time during the day, not outside of work in their own time, and secondly it needs to be supported by their colleagues and senior management. This demonstrates that it's important to the business so therefore will become important to them.
One of the more interesting ways physical activity has been adapted to the workplace is 'Chair Yoga' - see an example here. The promotes movement but staff feel they can 'fit it in' as it doesn't require an outfit change or for them to even leave their desk! Being innovative is what will make your workplace standout to employees.
3. Foster a Positive and Engaged Workplace Culture
An employee wellbeing programme is also a powerful tool for cultivating a positive workplace culture. Employees who feel valued and supported by their employer are more likely to be engaged in their work, leading to better performance and higher productivity.
When employees have access to wellbeing resources such as flexible working hours, mental health days, or wellness programs, they feel cared for. This sense of care fosters loyalty and a greater connection to the company. Employees who are emotionally and mentally engaged are more likely to go above and beyond, tackling projects with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose. This engagement often translates into a significant productivity boost across teams.
4. Encourage Work-Life Balance
Overworked employees are often unproductive, even if they’re at their desks - almost 60 days of unproductive time per person annually in fact! When people work long hours without adequate rest, their work suffers as they become fatigued, distracted, and disengaged. On the other hand, employees who maintain a healthy work-life balance are more focused, motivated, and creative.
Whilst offering flexible working arrangements might not always be possible, providing resources to help employees find balance is. Workshops on how to 'switch off' or promote good sleep are all part of the toolkit of nutritional therapists. We help holistically, not only offering advice on what to eat. When employees can manage their time and personal responsibilities effectively, they return to work feeling more refreshed and ready to tackle their tasks with increased focus and energy.
5. Provide Professional Development and Growth Opportunities
Another key aspect of employee wellbeing is fostering opportunities for personal and professional growth. Employees who feel stagnant or under-appreciated are less likely to be productive. Conversely, employees who have access to learning and development programs are more motivated and committed to their work.
An employee wellbeing program can include almost anything including career development resources such as training sessions, access to courses and furthering of education. When employees feel like they’re growing professionally, they’re more likely to put forth their best efforts, which boosts productivity. Offering these growth opportunities shows employees that the company is invested in their success, further driving engagement and performance.
6. Encourage Social Connections and Team Building
Social connections at work are often overlooked but are essential to creating a collaborative, productive environment. Employees who feel connected to their colleagues tend to communicate better, share ideas more openly, and work more efficiently as a team.
To foster these connections, wellbeing programs often look to find connections, be it through learning, activities or down time together. Trust me, this goes beyond the annual scavanger hunt you're forced into. This is a carefully throughout break away from work, and instead about individuals coming together for a common good - health and wellness! This has also recently become so much more important with flexible or hybrid working as staff spend less physical time together. These efforts help employees build strong relationships with their peers, creating a more harmonious and collaborative work culture. When teams work well together, productivity improves as tasks are completed more quickly and effectively.
Increasing productivity by 20% might sound like an ambitious goal, but with the right employee wellbeing program in place, it’s entirely achievable. By addressing stress, promoting physical health, fostering engagement, encouraging work-life balance, offering professional development, and building a supportive social environment, companies can unlock the full potential of their workforce.
At The Natural Balance we're experts in corporate wellness. We'd love to get to know your business and help you address your concerns to help your team feel better, work smarter, and stay engaged — both in the office and remotely.
Kelly Mulhall
Registered Nutritional Therapist, Health Coach, Master SIBO Practitioner
Kelly is a Registered Nutritional Therapist who focuses on positive physical and mental wellbeing, achieved through diet, lifestyle, sleep and exercise. Having struggled for years with IBS and hormonal imbalance, and increasingly frustrated with the lack of support and helpful advice from her GP, Kelly began her own journey of healing the body from the inside out. After seeing huge improvements she quit her job to study nutrition and focus on harnessing the healing powers of food to help other people in similar situations.
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