
10/10/2024
This afternoon, I was at a large company to discuss workplace health. While I was there, I overheard a conversation between the company’s boss and the HR manager. It was such a classic exchange!
Boss: “What if we invest in a healthy water machine, fresh lunches, smoothies, snacks, and wellness packages for our employees… and then they leave?”
The HR manager smiled and responded brilliantly:
HR Manager: laughing “What if we don’t invest… and they stay?”
It really made me think. Imagine an office where employees survive on energy drinks and vending machine snacks. Sure, they stay, but their energy is nowhere to be found. Everyone looks drained, and the old water machine? It’s more ready for retirement than the employees themselves. And the lunch? Those cheese sandwiches are tougher than the company’s policy on health!
The boss frowned and asked the inevitable question:
Boss: “But what if we do invest in all these healthy options, and they still leave?”
The HR manager gave him a look that seemed to say, “You’re really not getting this yet, are you?”
HR Manager: laughing “Then at least they’ll leave healthy, energized, and talking about how well we took care of them. Free advertising! They’ll rave about us everywhere they go, without us spending a dime on marketing. Who knows, they might even come back for the quinoa bowls and fresh smoothies!”
I watched the boss slowly nod, grinning as he finally got it.
Boss: “Good point. Let’s invest. But can we also use those healthy packages to get rid of those rock-hard cheese sandwiches?”
HR Manager: “Absolutely! Let’s make sure the only tough things here are the employees themselves—but in a good way.”
It was a fantastic moment. It clicked for them that investing in employee health isn’t just about avoiding problems; it’s about creating a vibrant, energetic, and productive workforce. Because let’s be honest, what’s the point of employees sticking around if they’re too tired and drained to do their best work?
So, whether they stay or go, investing in a healthy water machine, fresh lunches, smoothies, snacks, and wellness packages ensures they perform at their best—and that only benefits your company.