Unhealthy employees mean higher costs in the form of premiums, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. And in fact, Gallup has estimated that unhealthy workers cost American businesses $153 billion every year in lost productivity alone. So creating a healthier workforce simply makes good business sense.

But how do you go about doing that without singling out some employees over others, and without a huge budget to spend on wellness? Here are some tips to help you along the way:

Tip #1: Offer access to healthier food options.

Get rid of the processed food and soda in vending machines and replace them with healthier items. Negotiate with your vending company for healthier choices and change the prices of items to encourage employees to purchase them. Also, when ordering out for a meeting, skip the pizza and donuts and opt for lighter fare, like soup and salad.

Tip #2: Make hitting the gym easy.

If your employees only have 30 minutes for lunch, consider expanding their break to 60 minutes or even 90 minutes. This will give them time to hit the gym and grab a bite to eat, rather than running out for fast food in a shorter, 30-minute window.

Tip #3: Foster team competition (and a little bit of peer pressure).

According to a study led by a researcher from the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System and the University of Michigan Health System, “people who are offered money for weight loss may be much more successful when awards are based on a group’s performance.” In fact, the study concludes that group-based financial incentives led to nearly three times more weight loss than cash awards based on an individual’s weight loss success. So create weight loss challenges – and other health challenges, like quitting smoking – for employees to team up and compete for a prize.

Tip #4: Promote a healthy work life balance.

For instance, forbid your company employees from sending emails or texts after 8 pm and not at all on weekends, unless it’s an emergency. Doing so will let employees enjoy their down time and not feel like they need to be attached to their phone while they’re trying to spend time with their families.

And if you’re workforce is unhealthy – but it’s due to skills gaps and understaffing – let Pacific Staffing know. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Sacramento, California, we know where to find today’s top talent and can help you implement effective strategies to retain them. Contact us today to learn more.