What is a vitality program?
A vitality program or vitality policy is set up by companies to shape concrete goals in the area of sustainable employability. The targets in a vitality program can vary by organization, but are in any case aimed at creating a safe and healthy working environment and increasing employees' vitality (life force). Specific goals that can be set include, for example, increasing retention, employability and/or resilience of employees.
The goals in a vitality program are in any case aimed at creating a safe and healthy working environment and increasing the vitality (life force) of employees.
Why is a vitality program for employees important?
Setting up a concrete vitality policy is of essential importance for every company. It offers a clear point on the horizon, it motivates you as an employer to really get started with sustainable employability and it provides the support needed to work together on the set goals.
An increase in vitality has an impact on the entire functioning of an organization. A vital employee who feels involved with your organization will perform much better, is less often ill and is more balanced. A workplace full of motivated employees furthermore creates a pleasant working atmosphere and ultimately a profitable and future-proof organization!
In essence, a vitality program focuses on sustainable employability and the vitality of employees in a professional context. But to a certain extent, as an employer you should also take employees' private circumstances and wishes into account in your vitality policy. By choosing a holistic approach, you ultimately ensure that people can work longer in a healthy, productive and enjoyable way.
Action plan for vitality policy: 5 steps
Curious about the action plan for a vitality policy? A vitality programme isn't built in a day and isn't set in stone. It starts, in any case, with a strategic action plan. Map out which internal and external factors are important for your organization (for example aging population, sickness absence, performance capacity, etc.) and to what extent these factors can impact your business objectives. On that basis you'll know exactly where your focus areas lie. We give you 5 steps for a good action plan for a practical vitality policy:
1. Involve the management team in the process
Only if everyone, including the management, is aware of the importance of a good vitality policy will this not only remain a policy, but also be carried out.
2. Create support among employees
Ask them for input, communicate regularly and make the vitality program interactive.
3. Enlist the help of a professional vitality partner
Someone who is specialized in sustainable employability and vitality can be of great value: why reinvent the wheel if someone has already done this for you?
4. Turn strategic goals into practically executable actions
And make sure that you work on this regularly and purposefully.
5. Appoint an (interim) ‘Chief Vitality Officer’ where possible
This can oversee the entire process and keep vitality on the agenda throughout the whole organization.
