Employee wellness programs are often offered as incentives for prospective employees and perks for current ones. The programs focus on keeping employees' minds and bodies healthy, using tools like preventative care clinics, exercise facilities, support groups, health and fitness allowances or rebates and meal incentives. Employers must assess the benefits of an employee wellness program to decide if it's a worthwhile investment for the good of the company and the good of the employees.
Weight Management
Employee wellness programs that focus on weight management can help employees make better lifestyle choices. This can help avoid some of the problems resulting from obesity, including increased risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, which can in turn cause missed work days. Being overweight can also cause fatigue, which can contribute to reduced productivity. Support groups, healthy lunch incentives and on-site exercise facilities can help employees reduce their weight and their overall health care costs.
Health Savings
Investing money in employees' health can actually save money in the long run. A study published in the February 2008 issue of "Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine" found that when implemented, employee wellness programs saved companies an average of $176 to $182 in patient costs per year. The savings are passed on to the employee, who saves money on co-insurance and co-pays as a result of lowered costs and better health.
Support and Camaraderie
When office morale is a problem, productivity may be affected and employees may report a lower level of job satisfaction. When a person works an 8-hour day, it means he spends around 2,400 hours per year with his coworkers. Offering employee wellness program incentives such as support groups, sponsored events and shared exercise facilities can help employees work together for wellness and get to know each other better. This can contribute to better morale at work and a greater sense of worker satisfaction.
Productivity
Employee wellness programs can boost productivity in a variety of ways. Healthier employees miss less work, which adds up to savings. A January 2010 study in "Health Affairs" found that for every dollar spent on wellness programs, employee absenteeism costs fell by $2.73. Workers that feel healthier also reap the benefits of exercise and wellness, such as an improved quality of life, more energy and a better mood, all of which can contribute to better productivity in the office.
References
- "USA Today"; Cost-Conscious Companies Re-evaluate Wellness Programs; Laura Petrecca; June 2009
- "Chicago Tribune"; Companies Discover Benefits in Employee Wellness Programs; Carolyn Bigda; May 13, 2010
- "Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine"; The Impact of the Highmark Employee Wellness Programs on 4-Year Healthcare Costs; Barbara Naydeck et al.; Feb. 2008
- "Health Affairs"; Workplace Wellness Programs Can Generate Savings; Katherine Baicker et al.; Jan. 2010
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