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Karen Smith - Director, Health and Wellness Services | Rose & Kiernan, Inc.

What Are Some Good Names for a Wellness Program? According to Brandon Gaille, good employee wellness program names might refer to health and physical fitness, such as 'Feeling Fit,' 'Healthy and Wise' and 'Taking Shape.' Other good names emphasize a body. We are responsible for conducting work in a way that improves our wellness and the wellness of others. Already a $40 billion industry, despite the fact that only 9% of the 3 billion-plus global workers have access to some type of workplace wellness program at their jobs.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• 59% of employees do not get adequate exercise
• 50% or more have high cholesterol
• 27% have cardiovascular disease
• 26% are overweight by 20 percent or more
• 24% have high blood pressure

Employee health affects more than just medical costs. A healthy workforce is a more productive workforce. Did you know that between 70 to 90 percent of health care spending is caused by preventable, modifiable health risks such as the ones bulleted above? Unhealthy lifestyle choices often lead to chronic diseases, costing businesses more than one trillion dollars in lost productivity alone. What all of this means is that promoting healthier behaviors can really pay off … the reason that workplace wellness is such a hot topic right now.

There are many different types of wellness programs. The essence of these programs is to encourage individuals to take preventive measures to avert the onset or worsening of an illness or disease and to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

As healthcare costs continue to rise, it makes sense that addressing the specific needs of an employee population and maximizing the engagement and participation of workplace wellness programs is critical. But how can you change behaviors?

Employers play an important role

Changing our behavior is ultimately up to each of us as individuals. However, employers have a tremendous opportunity to help their employees see the value of adopting healthier behaviors so that they can live healthier lives.

A workplace culture sets the tone for its employees. A supportive work environment, where managers reinforce a sound wellness strategy, can keep employees motivated and engaged. Wellness and incentive programs can be used to drive and reinforce healthy behaviors, bringing benefits to the employer, the employee, and to the community.

Employers may utilize a wide range of wellness initiatives such as smoking cessation programs, flu shots and health fairs, gym memberships, newsletters, and more. While some businesses have instituted very comprehensive wellness programs, others have achieved savings or increased productivity with just a few simple activities that promote healthy behaviors. What’s most important is to commit to wellness promotion in the organization.

So why is it, then, that employers over the years have not been quick to offer these programs? Many employers still seem to question whether or not workplace wellness is worth the investment.

As with anything, wellness programs present organizations with a set of challenges. Success is largely dependent on factors outside employers’ control: employee adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors, employees keeping health risks low, employees not getting chronic diseases, and employees not leaving the company. To reap the benefits of a wellness program, employers must maximize employee buy-in and participation.

Workplace Wellness Statistics 2017

Additionally, measuring the success (or ROI) of these programs is difficult to do accurately and comprehensively. Every program and level of investment is unique to the employer; participation levels are unique; employee health and health outcomes are also unique. Nevertheless, most industry literature and research agrees that the typical return on a wellness program is said to be from $3-$6 for every $1 invested, with savings realized 2-3 years after implementation.

Worksite health promotion should be viewed as an investment in a business’ most important asset, its employees. Studies show that employees are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are in optimal health. Benefits of implementing a wellness program include:

• Attracting the most talented workers
• Reducing absenteeism and lost time
• Improving on-the-job time utilization, decision making and productivity
• Improving employee morale
• Reduction in turnover
• Improved disease management and prevention, and a healthier workforce in general, both of which contribute to lower health care costs.

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) is dedicated to the promotion of worksite wellness, and has identified the seven best practices for employers to follow when building a wellness program within their organization. Information can be found at www.welcoa.org.

Author: Andy Goldstein, NASBA Electronic Media Specialist and Webmaster
Posted: January 11, 2012

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States during the past 20 years, and rates remain high. About one-third of U.S. adults are obese, and approximately 17 percent (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents from the ages of 2 to 19 are obese. The CDC also stated that in 2010, no state had an obesity level of less than 20 percent, with 36 states indicating levels above 25 percent.

It's frightening statistics like these that drive many people to make New Year's resolutions to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles. There are many ways to start this journey, but you may be surprised that the biggest ally to turn your resolution into reality this year may be your employer.

Statistics On Wellness Programs

Corporate wellness programs are part of a growing trend to fight not only obesity in the U.S., but the skyrocketing cost of medical care and insurance premiums. According to an article from the 'American Institute for Preventative Medicine,' 91 percent of organizations now have some type of health promotion program in place, versus only 78 percent a decade ago.

Statistics have routinely shown that employers who utilize corporate wellness programs have decreased absenteeism, reduced health care expenses and increased productivity among employees. Even beer companies are reaping the benefits! Coors Brewing Company's wellness statistics show an average company medical insurance savings of $5.50 per $1 spent on fitness facilities and equipment. It also reports an 18 percent drop in absenteeism for employees participating in its corporate wellness program.

In 2010, NASBA launched its 'Healthy 4 Life' initiative, a three-month contest designed to promote better health and wellness practices among employees. Individuals were grouped into teams and given guidelines and fitness and dietary goals to meet. Participation was not required, but strongly encouraged – and NASBA boasted a whopping 91 percent participation among employees! An overwhelming factor NASBA attributes to this high percentage is the level of support its executive team offered in the creation of the program.

'The wellness program not only raised awareness about healthier lifestyles but provided opportunities to achieve personal growth,' said Michael Bryant, NASBA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. 'Many employees, with the support of their H4L teams, used this opportunity to commit to achieve a long-held goal (including creative activities and spiritual interests). This fostered improved relationships across the organization and confidence in team capabilities to make changes together.'

Since the conclusion of the H4L contest, NASBA has maintained its commitment to employee health and wellness. From monthly fitness point contests/drawings to Lunch ‘n Learns from health educators, NASBA offers and rewards employees who commit to getting and staying healthy.

Workplace Wellness Programs Statistics Math Test

So, what are companies committing to in 2012 to help ensure employee health? According to its 2012 trend report on corporate wellness, the Spencer Institute expects an increase in:

• Employee committees focused on wellness issues
• Group wellness coaching in corporate settings
• Wellness education within companies
• Specialization for coaches in the corporate wellness world
• Focus on finding unique ways to fund corporate wellness programs and drive higher engagement with visible support and rewards for participation

Creating and implementing a wellness program, however, does not always mean an expensive investment for the company. Little changes can go a long way. For example, replacing chips and candy in vending machines in favor of fresh fruits and vegetables in the break room, or offering on-site flu and B-12 shots are both cost-effective ways for companies to take major strides in improving the health of its employees.

A good wellness program does, however, require solid planning and incentive. One of the most important facets of a successful wellness program is maintaining ongoing knowledge about safety and wellness techniques. Many times, companies can find organizations to provide these resources at little-to-no-cost; however, it does take organization from the company's perspective to research and cultivate the relationship with these organizations. Additionally, rewards programs are also gaining popularity as companies incentivize its employees with prizes or other benefits to quit using tobacco, eat healthier meals or complete a certain amount of cardiovascular exercise per week. As with the Coors Brewing Company example above, companies are seeing these investments pay off big time when it comes to the bottom line.

It's no surprise then that comprehensive health promotion programming at the worksite is predicted as the 12th most popular fitness trend in 2012 (according to a worldwide survey by the American College of Sports Medicine). If you would like to be part of this growing trend and want to know more, www.wellnessproposals.com is a great resource for more information about starting a corporate wellness program, benefits, implementation, evaluating success and more. Just download its 'Guide to Worksite Wellness Programs' and you're ready to tackle 2012 and make a difference in your organization!

Workplace Wellness Stats

Sources:
'U.S. Obesity Trends' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 06/21/11
'Characteristics of Successfull Wellness Programs' American Institute for Preventive Medicine, Don R. Powell 01/09/12
'The Spencer Institute Offers 2012 Trend Report on Corporate Wellness' Spencer Institute 01/02/12
'Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2012' Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., ACSM Health & Fitness Journal 12/16/11'Workplace Wellness: Healthy Workforce Equals Healthy Business' GSerrano 03/06/09
'Benefits of Implementing a Workplace Wellness Program' Natural Healthcare Canada 01/10/12