Employers who are already challenged to find and keep top talent amidst a tough job market may find that high levels of workplace stress are making it more difficult to assemble and sustain a solid workforce.Recruiting and RetentionWith stress levels higher than ever in the early 2020s, several recent studies directly link stress levels with organizations’ ability to retain existing employees and recruit new ones. Employees cited stress as the top reason for leaving their jobs, accounting for 37% of responses in one survey. Meanwhile, surveys of employers do not even rank job stress among the top five reasons that they lose employees. This gap indicates a greater need for employers to better understand how stress impacts the workplace, particularly how it drives employee decisions on whether to keep their job or seek new opportunities.The role of stress is particularly important in the current tight market. The Great Resignation has…

It is no surprise that Stress Awareness Month and National Healthcare Decisions Day fall on the calendar simultaneously. If you are caring for a parent, spouse, or other family member, you want to honor their wishes, values, and goals. At the same time, you are no stranger to the stress that comes with the part. Helping your loved ones express and document their healthcare wishes in advance will ensure that you can honor those wishes if or when they can’t speak for themselves due to serious illness, without the responsibility entirely falling on you as the caregiver.  When dealing with such a great loss, there is no reason to create additional stress for the family. They should be able to grieve in peace, without worrying too much about “next steps”. The best time to document these wishes is while we’re in good health. It always seems too early, until it’s…

Innovative is excited to announce the date for our 3rd annual Well-Being at Work Summit. Join us on Thursday, May 12th, from 9:00am-3:00pm, at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.This Year’s Theme:Unfortunately, due to things like the pandemic, isolation and burnout, employee mental illness is on the rise. In fact, according to the CDC, about 20% of Americans report symptoms of mental illness. To help support employers through these times, we decided to focus this year’s theme on mental health in the workplace.Our 4 industry-expert speakers will share their unmatched knowledge to:Positively lead your team by providing strategies to build resilienceLearn practices that support healing mind, body and spiritUnderstand how Mindfulness can be used as a tool to address implicit biasApply strategies and identify resources to accommodate and support employees' mental health and wellnesshttps://youtu.be/d9zr7L-R3bIWhat to Expect That Day:Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other employers who are in…

As we near the end of the year, don’t let your wellness program slip through the cracks. With the holidays approaching, flu season here, and 2022 planning in full effect, now is the perfect time to evaluate your organization’s end of year wellness initiatives to keep your employees healthy and ready for the new year. Consider these 8 tips as you approach the end of year: Educate employees on how to reduce the spread of illness and encourage them to receive a flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, and booster shot (provide education and coverage information when possible) With the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and emerging flu season, we must do our part to prevent the spread of illness. Not only do you want your team to be healthy, but we need to continue to reduce further strains on our health care system. Encourage frequent hand washing, social distancing, and the use of…

Mental health is top of mind everywhere these days as about 20% of adult Americans report symptoms of mental illness according to the Centers for Disease Control.  Workplace mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, and depression had already been growing, and then the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work situations just intensified these matters. It’s no secret that work-related factors, especially during the pandemic, are impacting employee’s mental health. In fact, The World Health Organization classified employee burnout as a medical condition. The two most important steps employers can take to help address this is 1) talk about mental health and 2) offer resources.Benefits of Addressing Mental Health in the WorkplaceMental health conditions cost employers more than $100 billion and 217 lost workdays annually, according to the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI). There are many benefits to taking the lead in the workplace:Increased productivity-A 2021 survey by The Hartford…

Flu season here and the best way to protect your employees from the flu is to encourage them to get a flu shot! There are always benefits from receiving the flu vaccination, however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year is more important than ever for your employees to receive a flu shot and reduce illnesses:The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar so receiving the flu vaccine will limit confusion.By protecting oneself from the flu, which could result in hospitalization, this could potentially preserve scarce healthcare resources.It is possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, but the flu is preventable.Let Innovative Workplace Wellness help arrange a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine clinic for your employees! Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Kit to get started today. Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Kit

6 Tips for a Healthier Summer BBQ Grilling is a fun way to prepare some of your favorite foods, especially during the summer. Try out a new recipe and follow these tips to make your summer cooking adventures healthy and flavorful this season! Add color. So many different fruits and veggies can be grilled, alone or in kebabs. Try out a few new things on the grill. Choose healthier sides. Try a bean salad, a green salad, or a fruit salad instead of the traditional macaroni or potato salad. Choose whole grain buns. Whole grain bread is filled with fiber and flavor. You can also always try a lettuce wrap. Grill fruits for dessert. Try throwing some apples, pears, or pineapples on the grill for a sweet treat. Know your portions. A healthy portion of any meat is about 3 ounces or the size of a deck of cards. Try…