As a small business owner, your expenses for offering health insurance to your employees can account for a significant portion of your budget. Fortunately for you, the implementation of a wellness program in your business can not only lower your health care costs, but also be beneficial in other ways. If you are considering a wellness program for your business, here is what you need to know.  

Why Start a Wellness Program?

A wellness program can help lower costs for your business. As your employees practice healthier habits, they are less likely to file claims. With a high success rate, it is possible that your insurance provider will lower your rates. 

You can also benefit from an increase in work productivity. Healthier employees have more energy to devote to their work. They are also less likely to need to take sick days. Fewer absences means more people at work doing their jobs.  

In addition to these benefits, your employees are likely to have more positive attitudes. Physical and mental health are often linked. If your employees are feeling physically healthier, this can easily translate to improved mental health. 

How Can You Start the Program?

Starting a wellness program does not have to be overly complicated. Simple changes that combine accountability with healthy additions to the workplace can kickstart your program.  

For instance, instead of vending machines that contain foods that are heavily processed, offer healthier snacks in their place. The addition of granola bars, veggie packs, and fruit snacks to the vending machine instead of cookies and candy can be a healthy switch. 

You should also consider creating an exercise program that allows participation for all employees. For instance, you can start a walking group that takes 30-minute walks at some point during the day. You can offer small perks to people for consistent participation. 

For employees who smoke, offer incentives for stopping. Ask the employees for suggestions of great incentives for quitting smoking. Consider working with a local health care provider to research and create a program that can be used by your employees. The provider can ensure the program is safe and monitor the progress of the employees involved in it.  

There are many other ways you can incorporate healthier habits into the workplace. Consult with your insurance provider to find additional suggestions and to learn more about possible discounts to your employees' coverage from implementing and following a wellness plan.