When I say ‘employee wellness,’ what comes to mind? Can I guess? Dental coverage. Vision coverage. Physio. Chiro. Massage. Basically, whatever is covered under your employee health benefits. The reality? It’s so much more.
Work culture in Canada is constantly upping its demand: demand for more time, skills, qualifications… the list goes on. We’re working more than ever, harder than ever, and longer than ever. With an increase in work-related stressors, employee wellness is a serious thing. There is no short-term solution and you won’t be able to find it in a fitness app. Luckily, employee wellness is a hot subject right now and employee wellness programs are becoming more mainstream, with many layers. Some of the proven benefits of a diverse wellness program include:
- Improved employee physical strength, stamina, and general well-being.
- Improved focus at work.
- Increased job satisfaction.
- Better relations between co-workers and supervisors.
- Reduced absenteeism.
- Enhanced corporate image and long-term employee interest.
So, what makes for a strong wellness program?
- The program should be practical and accessible.
- The program should be complex and long-term.
- The program should constantly evolve.
- The program should be integrated into your company culture, and;
- The program should be CREATIVE.
CREATIVE. This is where we come in. If you’re reading this article, and you’re still with me, then you already know what the Edmonton Sport and Social Club is all about. We are co-ed sports league, for adults, and we focus on FUN above all else. We offer 12+ sports in any given season, in a variety of skill levels.
When we talk about a creative way to get your employees working together and focusing on their physical health, having your employees play sport together is the perfect solution. Why? They’ll be breaking a sweat in one of our many sport offerings and that’s a huge positive on the physical-spectrum. The bigger picture? Team bonding, teamwork, and communication. There’s no better way to bond than through sport… or the post-game beers. On the court, teamwork and communication is everything – that ball isn’t going back up and over the net if the team doesn’t move together, talk to each other, and work together to volley it over. Off the court, the teamwork and communication skills built through sport can translate to everyday work. Plus, it gives them something to talk about around the water cooler.
As an employer, adding sport to your employee wellness package is about as cost effective as it gets. Across all of our sports, the average Full Team cost is $775. Let’s say you have a roster of 10 employees; this means you’re looking at $77.50/employee over an 8-week long season. That’s a $9.50 weekly investment per employee for a vast range of long-term benefits for both the employee and for you as an employer.
We at the Edmonton Sport and Social Club are a strong believer in the power of sport. If you want to get your team involved in our leagues this Spring, give us a call and we’d love you help answer any questions you may have and get your team registered in our leagues.
Good luck out there and stay healthy!
