At OnSite Wellness, we believe that a truly effective wellness program goes beyond fitness challenges and health portals — it’s about embedding well-being into the very fabric of a company’s culture.
That’s where Supportive Policies, one of our 10 best practices, comes into play. These policies create an environment where employees feel empowered to prioritize their health, making wellness an integral part of the workplace.
What are Supportive Policies?
Supportive Policies ensure that corporate-wide initiatives foster a culture of well-being by providing the tools, resources, and environment employees need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
• Tobacco-free workplaces: Encouraging a healthier atmosphere for all employees.
• Lactation rooms: Providing private spaces with essential amenities for nursing parents.
• On-campus childcare: Making work-life balance more achievable with accessible, affordable childcare.
• Healthy food options: Offering nutritious choices at meetings, in cafeterias, and through vending machines.
• Ergonomic workspaces: Implementing standing desks and ergonomic solutions to support physical health.
• Fitness & wellness perks: Including gym partnerships, on-site fitness centers, and meditation rooms.
• Flexible work schedules: Allowing employees to integrate wellness into their daily routines.
• Paid wellness participation: Compensating employees for engaging in wellness activities during work hours.
Spotlight on Fetzer: A leader in workplace wellness
One company that exemplifies the power of Supportive Policies is Fetzer. They don’t just talk about wellness — they live it, creating an environment where employees can thrive both professionally, personally and spiritually. Here’s how Fetzer leads the way.
A workplace designed for well-being
Fetzer has integrated wellness into every aspect of their organizational culture, ensuring employees have access to resources that promote a healthy lifestyle:
• Scenic walking trails: Employees are encouraged to take walks — or walking meetings — throughout the day on beautiful wooded trails located on the institute’s grounds.
• On-site fitness facility: A dedicated, fully equipped workout center is available for free to all employees and their families.
• Daily mindful breaks: To reduce stress and improve focus, the organization sets aside 20 minutes daily as quiet time for staff to use for meditation, or other practices related to their faith/spiritual tradition, or simply as a break in the day.
• Healthy lunch program: The organization’s culinary team prepares nutritious, locally sourced, scratch-made meals every day,
• Standing desks for all: All employees have desks with standing options, supporting better posture and reducing sedentary behavior.
• Incentivized wellness participation: Employees earn points for engaging in wellness programming, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
• Flexible work policy: Fetzer’s flexible work policy provides spaciousness for staff to integrate wellness into their daily routines, care for family, and get their work done on a schedule that works best for them and their team.
• Spiritual well-being: As an organization that believes spiritual well-being is essential to its work, the institute supports staff in pursuing activities that focus on spiritual well-being. Fetzer reserves three hours weekly for these activities and has staff roles dedicated to spiritual care.
The impact of supportive policies
Companies that implement Supportive Policies see far-reaching benefits:
• Healthier, happier employees: When well-being is prioritized, employees experience less stress, greater job satisfaction, and improved overall health.
• Increased productivity: A well-supported workforce is more engaged, focused, and motivated.
• Stronger company culture: Employees feel valued, which fosters loyalty and a sense of community.
• Reduced healthcare costs: Preventative health measures lead to fewer medical claims and lower long-term costs.
Make wellness a priority in your workplace
Fetzer’s success story proves that when companies invest in Supportive Policies, employees — and the business — thrive. Whether it’s providing ergonomic workspaces, healthy meals, or flexible schedules, small changes can lead to big impacts. At OnSite Wellness, we’re here to help you create a workplace where well-being isn’t just encouraged —It’s built into your company’s foundation. Ready to take the next step? Let’s work together to make wellness a priority in your organization.
