Many companies offer wellness programs for their employees as ways to improve productivity and job satisfaction. They provide benefits for both the employer and employees. Wellness programs often employ a holistic approach that includes fitness and weight management. They also address employee morale. Some wellness programs will offer some type of incentive such as a gift card or credit to flex pay benefits.
Reduce Obesity
Obesity presents a major cost to businesses. A 2010 study estimates that obesity-related conditions costs employers more than $73 billion annually in lost productivity, medical costs and absenteeism. Some wellness programs take this challenge head-on with programs to increase steps walked or time spent exercising. A 2010 study by the School of Kinesiology's Health Management Research Center in Michigan looked into the benefits of offering a wellness program as it affected a Midwest utility company. Researchers found that the company saved more than $12 million in health-related costs.
Health Monitoring
Some wellness programs offer health monitoring, especially if they are tied with the company's insurance program. The program might provide reminders for important health checks such as mammograms or cholesterol screenings. They might also offer other types of rewards if health objectives are met. Many systems might use an Internet interface for tracking exercise or food intake. A 2010 study by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research in Oregon found that participants reported greater long-term weight loss using an interactive website to monitor their progress.
Team Building
Another focus of wellness programs is to build employee morale. They might offer opportunities to create teams to meet different fitness goals, such as walking a certain number of miles or exercising a particular amount of time. Teams compete with one another to meet a fitness goal while strengthening relationships among co-workers. The business might set a company-wide goal to encourage everyone to work together to meet an objective.
Job Satisfaction
Offering a cash incentive might increase participation in a wellness program. A 2010 study by the University of Michigan found that using a cash reward system increased participation of employees in the health program by rewarding objectives with an immediate payout. Employees might be likely to view such programs as perks that can improve their overall job satisfaction and help relieve work-related stress. A 2008 Harris Interactive survey found that more than 25 percent of participants reported feeling significant amounts of stress. A work wellness program can address these feelings by incorporating more physical activity into your day.
References
- "Record Update"; "Study: Workplace Wellness Plan Saves Money over Long Term"; Laura Bailey; August 25, 2010
- "Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine"; "Costs of Obesity in the Workplace"; E. Finkelstein, et al; September 2010
- "Journal for Medical Internet Research"; "Associations of Internet Website Use With Weight Change in a Long-term Weight Loss Maintenance Program"; K. Funk et al; July 2010
- Harris Interactive: Money, Trouble Sleeping and Over-Scheduling Major Hassles for Americans
- Science Codex: Employee Wellness Plans Should Include Entire Company, not just Sick Workers
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