The Power of Team-Based Workplace Wellbeing Programs

In today’s challenging environment, the importance of workplace wellbeing programs cannot be overstated.

A well-designed program that addresses the unique requirements of each organisation can enhance the physical, mental and emotional health of employees, enabling them to better manage the challenges faced both inside and outside of the workplace.   

The structure of any workplace wellbeing program significantly influences its effectiveness.   

‘One key consideration often overlooked is the importance of a team component to help facilitate better behaviour change compared to those focusing solely on the individual’.   

The Limitation of Individual-Focused Wellbeing Programs 

In recent times we have seen an increase in AI-powered workplace wellbeing programs that emphasize the exertion of individual effort to achieve their outcome. These include programs that rely on users to proactively navigate through a series of prompts over a series of days to access wellbeing resources.   While these tools can be valuable, they largely cater to individuals who are already motivated to improve their wellbeing.

Have you heard the saying that wellbeing programs tend to 'engage the already engaged"? Such programs are rightly criticised for not engaging those that would benefit the most - those with higher barriers and lower motivation to improve their personal wellbeing. 

For the vast majority of employees, especially those who struggle to maintain consistent healthy habits, individual-based programs are likely to fall short.  These initiatives often lack the social support and collective motivation that can drive behaviour change.  

The Power of Team-Based Wellbeing Programs 

In contrast to relying on individual efforts, a strong team component in a wellbeing program gives employees a better opportunity to promote more diverse values that are already influencing their daily decision-making.

For example, values like teamwork, recognition, fun and competition.

Give employees the ability to promote these values in the act of engaging in healthier habits, and you’re onto a winner! Here’s why: 

1. Teamwork: Team-based programs foster a sense of collectivism, camaraderie, and shared purpose.  Achieving goals together can be more rewarding than achieving them alone and can enhance team cohesion.
   
2. Recognition: Team-based programs create an opportunity for participants to encourage and support others who might struggle to stay committed on their own. This gives individuals the ability to achieve a sense of recognition through the act of supporting others.
   
3. Fun: Team-based programs are often more enjoyable. Participating with others can make wellbeing initiatives feel less of a chore and more like fun.     
4. Competition:  When employees see their peers making positive changes, it can bring out the competitive spirit in some.  Especially when leaderboards are incorporated into the program!
     

A Real-World Example: 

At Synergy Health we build customised team-based challenges that address the unique needs of the organisations that we work with.  A recent example of this is our partnership with Foodstuffs to develop the ‘Fit Foodies Team Challenge – from Pallet to Plate’.    

The goal of this challenge was to promote awareness of the Foodstuffs Supply Chain and encourage more movement throughout the day.  Employees were encouraged to create teams (‘teamwork’ and ‘recognition’), complete a range of activities to earn points (‘fun’) and have the ability to opt into appearing on a leaderboard (‘competition’).  

The outcomes achieved were impressive:

• 91% of participants felt more motivated to achieve healthier habits 
• 95% felt more connected to the business and colleagues  
• 99% of participants would recommend others to participate   

In Summary

Workplace wellbeing programs with a strong team component have the potential to drive more significant and sustained behaviour change when compared to those that are focused solely on the (motivated) individual.  

As organisations continue to invest in the health and wellbeing of their people, it is crucial to design programs which not only support individual efforts, but which also harness the collective power of teamwork.  

In doing so, they can create a healthier, more connected, and more productive workforce.