🏅 Arcanys Wins Gold for OIR 2024: Health and Wellness

We’re excited to celebrate winning Gold in the 2024 Outsourcing Impact Award for Health & Wellness—a step up from last year’s Silver award for Education and a recognition that feels deeply meaningful. For Arcanytes, the focus on health has grown into a shared experience, where the gym isn’t just for working out—it’s a space to build resilience, cheer each other on, and forge friendships. Beyond physical gains, we’re growing stronger emotionally and socially as we come together more often to encourage and celebrate each other's progress.

“The Health & Wellness Program at Arcanys stands out as a remarkable initiative that not only fosters employee well-being but also demonstrates a profound commitment to community impact through innovative and scalable solutions.”

- Aaron Wright, Director of Operations - Outsource Accelerator

A Comprehensive Wellness Program

Promoting healthy habits and balanced lifestyles is woven into our DNA. What started in 2012 as simple informative Wednesday classes has blossomed into a vibrant, life-enriching wellness initiative that’s here to support every employee, their families, and the broader community.

Over the years, we’ve listened, learned, and grown to meet our team’s preferences and needs: from offering fitness classes at the office and free gym memberships (2016) to sponsoring employees in fitness and sports events such as marathons and Spartan races (2019). In 2021, after a major shift the year before of working from home, we saw the value of supporting home fitness and allocated up to 20k (USD350+) allowance for gym equipment per employee, while in 2022, licensed nutritionists came on board to help our team make informed, healthy choices. 

Then in 2023, the opening of our own gym marked a milestone—further strengthened by our partnership with Mind You, allowing us to embrace mental health support fully. Each of these steps reflects our belief that physical, mental, and social well-being should be accessible to all.

Key Elements of Our Initiative

• Arcanys CrossFit Gym – Our gym is a place where employees find encouragement, community, and strength. With free workouts, nutritionists, and trainers, we’ve created a space where everyone can feel their best.
• Sponsored memberships, equipment, and wearable tech – Each team member can choose a gym membership or request home workout equipment, with free Garmin fitness trackers to support their journey.
• Paid time off for workouts – Through the ArcWorkouts app, employees earn paid time off by logging workouts, a reminder that their health and well-being matter deeply to us.
• Cash incentives and giving back – Every logged workout is rewarded with cash, matched by a donation to the Arcanys Early Learning Foundation (AELF), connecting personal health with a larger cause. 
• Face-to-Face Peer Bonding - Cebu-based teammates are encouraged to attend the gym and work at the office once every 2 months, so teams are able to exercise and bond regularly. 
• Gym sponsorship for a loved one - Arcanys sponsors the first 3 months of gym membership for an Arcanyte’s partner, spouse, or family member—whether they choose to join the Arcanys CrossFit gym or one of our partner gyms. After the 3 months are up, the spouse/family member gets to enjoy 50% off on their gym fees moving forward. This support helps bring families closer to health goals and encourages shared wellness journeys.
  

This program isn’t just about wellness—it’s about creating moments of encouragement, helping each other achieve goals, and supporting the wider community. 

Tracking Our Impact

The true success of our wellness initiatives shines through the numbers and, more importantly, in the lives touched. Since launching the ArcWorkouts app, participation has soared from 15% to an inspiring 63%, with over 85,000 workouts logged to date. Our team’s commitment to health has also led to a 25% reduction in sick days, which clearly reflects its positive impact in the workplace.

Together, our team has raised over PHP 4.3 million (USD 75,000) for the AELF program, funding free math coaching for underprivileged children in Cebu City. Each dollar raised reflects the power of our community to give back.

Sustainability and Scalability

Our wellness program isn’t just about cost-saving—it’s about truly enriching lives. By investing in facilities like the Arcanys CrossFit Gym, we ensure that fitness and well-being are accessible to everyone. 

The inclusion of mental health support through our Mind You partnership further reflects our belief that wellness should be well-rounded, encompassing mind and body. The results are visible: fewer sick days, happier employees, and an atmosphere of support that extends beyond Arcanys. And we’ve seen its ripple effect on other businesses, with one of our U.S. clients even launching their own fitness challenge, being inspired by our journey.

By continuously listening to employee feedback, we’re able to keep our program dynamic, effective, and deeply meaningful.

Healthier employees are more productive 

When our people feel valued, they tend to stick around. And when their work connects to a greater cause, their motivation really shines. In fact, 99% of our employees say Arcanys is a great place to work and our current attrition rate is under 8%. These numbers aren’t just figures. They show that prioritizing wellness truly pays off. 

Wellness initiatives are vital for long-term growth. By investing in our team's health and connecting it to something meaningful, we create a culture where everyone is eager to give their best—because they know their efforts matter, both to themselves and to the community.

The Spark that Ignited it All

Over the years, Alan and I have come to see how much health and fitness impact every part of our lives. Looking back, there was a time when we didn't think much about how we were treating our bodies. But as we started paying attention—eating better, getting in regular exercise—we both felt a shift. It wasn’t just about feeling more energized. It was about clarity, resilience, and a sense of control over our days that made all the difference.

Seeing how transformative it’s been for us, we can’t help but want the same for our team. We want to encourage everyone to make health a priority—to eat well, stay active, and ultimately feel the benefits themselves. It's more than just about showing up to work. It’s about showing up at your best, feeling empowered, and staying strong for the long run. We believe that investing in our health isn’t just something nice to do—it’s essential. And if we can support our team in doing that, we’re all the better for it.

Looking Ahead

Wellness is about fostering a supportive, caring community. By connecting our wellness achievements to the AELF Program, we inspire a cycle of motivation, gratitude, and generosity with a purpose. This approach lifts morale, strengthens bonds, and sets a powerful example of corporate responsibility that we hope will inspire others.

As we look to the future, we’re more committed than ever to enhancing our health and wellness program—growing and adapting with the times and supporting the evolving needs of our team. Together, we’ll continue to create positive change, for our employees and hopefully, the world around us.