Behind every successful company is the team that makes things happen daily. Your employees are there with you, doing the work, interacting with customers, and supporting your shared mission. They are as crucial to the overall success and longevity of the business endeavor as any physical assets, ideas, or public image you may have.

Show them they’re valued every day, especially during Employee Appreciation Day – March 4th. What better way to celebrate how much you value your employees than by taking better care of their health?

It’s not just about the sense of support and care a solid health benefits package fosters. There are substantial economic benefits to investing in your team, as well!

Employees function better and work more productively when you acknowledge the work they accomplish via recognition and rewards. Acknowledgement and support helps motivate them to continue putting in their best effort and contributions to the work they perform.

Get the best from your people, and get the best people, too! Taking care of your workers is key to building staff retention, employee loyalty, and attracting and hiring top talent.

Ready to amp up your human-resource support and show extra gratitude to your team?

Here are five meaningful, healthy ideas for Employee Appreciation Day and beyond:

1. Host a fitness workout activity or program

Encourage your employees to get active. Integrate wellness and exercise opportunities with either a co-worker leading a Zumba session, or partnering with a local gym that can offer discounted membership rates for your employees.

2. Set up healthy office snacks during break time

“Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance,” according to Harvard Business Review. Provide sustainable energy for your employees when you order a spread of nutritious snacks. Healthy eating supports high-performance work!

3. Practice health & wellness education

Send out informative email blast newsletters or memo bulletins monthly with health check-ups, wellness tips, and content encouraging your team. These wellness reminders for your employees could go a long way in supporting their overall mental and physical health.

4. Provide emotional support to your staff

Show employees you care by having one-on-one meetings to check how they are doing every month or quarter. Keep doors open for discussion of any issue, or better yet, get a health coverage plan that offers mental health consultations when they need it the most. When you prioritize employee engagement activities, both your workers and business will benefit in the long run.

5. Get them a HealthChoice of Michigan health coverage plan

With a flat rate of $240 /month per employee, regardless of age or gender, you can afford to get the best coverage for your team with the least out-of-pocket costs. Our Small Business Plans can help you offer comprehensive medical benefits to take care of your employees better.

HealthChoice of Michigan is a government-powered program providing affordable health plans for Wayne and Oakland County business owners and their employees. We offer an extensive network of Metro Detroit's most respected physicians and hospitals. From annual check-ups to emergency care services, our plans cover the basics. In addition, they are flexible to credit even more health services.

Reduce staff turnover, improve job satisfaction and support the wellbeing of your business with a good health coverage plan. Learn more about how you can get protection for your employees and apply at our website.