By: Jeanne Hines, SPHR
When implementing a wellness plan in your company, we encourage you to take a comprehensive view of the many areas that have an impact on people, their productivity and their general satisfaction with life. That sounds like a pretty tall order, but if you break it down into the five areas of our recommended approach to well-being, you will quickly see that it can be accomplished.
Community well-being is the satisfaction we derive from living, working, and playing in the place we live. It is feeling safe, no matter the time of day. It is the sense of satisfaction and connection we feel when we participate in community actions, causes and events. While we encourage individuals to get involved on their own time, we also recommend that businesses support local efforts through the contribution of the time and talent of their employees.
There are many worthy causes in every community, from Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Big Brothers and Big Sisters--to name a few. Your United Way can advise you about organizations with high standards that need volunteers. If you prefer, schools, churches and community service organizations (such as Lions and Rotary) also need members to help carry out their missions. Your local animal shelter generally also needs volunteers. Pick a cause that’s especially important to you and offer to help. You’ll not only help the organization, but meet some great people in the process. Your well-being will get a boost, as you feel a sense of accomplishment in helping others.
When you’re planning your company’s well-being program, be sure to include the five elements: Career, Social, Financial, Physical and Community.
Be well!