Benefits of Workplace Wellness Programs

Introduction to Workplace Wellness Programs 

Risky health behaviors by workers cost a company. Changing those behaviors can save the employer money and increase the worker’s productivity. 

Because work gives an worker a stable environment and support system, Workplace Wellness Programs can have a great impact on decreasing high-risk behaviors. This impact results in decrease health claims cost, less rates of absenteeism, and less short-term disability. 

Workplace Wellness Programs can include: 

Awareness Rasing Activities: Health and wellness newsletters, health topics covered in payroll stuffers, healthy emails. 

Health Risk Assessment: Employee health screenings, health and wellness fairs, health risk appraisals. 

Educational Programs: Lunch and Learn wellness presentations, guest speakers at staff meetings. 

Skill Building: Healthy cooking demostrations, activity challenges, CPR instruction opportunites, stress management classes, weight management classes. 

Interventions: Massage, tobacco cessation, and skills to help you get the most out of your doctor visit. 

Physical environment: Healthy items in the vending machines and cafeterias, clean air practices, ergonomics, bike racks, flex time, welllit stairways. 

Assessment: Worker needs assessment, baseline Workplace Wellness Program evaluation measures, ongoing Workplace Wellness Program evaluation of overall effectiveness. 

Why Make available Workplace Wellness Programs 

The typical employer spends about $8,000 a year on an employee’s medical care. This includes health insurance, disability and worker’s compensation. As these costs climb, health insurance is expected to rise at least 10 percent per year. 

A 1999 study showed that businesses using Workplace Wellness Programs had a ROI from $1.49 – $13 in benefits per dollar spent. The amount depended on the nature of the Workplace Wellness Programs used. (S. Aldana, American Journal of Wellness, 2001; 15:296-320) 

One study showed that a “stop smoking” component to Workplace Wellness Programs can save between $404 -$40,829 per employee, depending on the age and sex of the worker. 

The Workplace Wellness Programs at Traveler’s Company included a self-care book, a newsletter, single-topic brochures, and videotapes. The Workplace Wellness Programs saved the company $7.8 million in employee benefi t costs, decreased doctor visits, and it lowered rates of absenteeism by 1.2 days per worker per year. The estimated Workplace Wellness Programs ROI was $3.40 per dollar spent. 

In 1998, the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) reported a study of 46,026 workers from six large companies for three years. Workers with an inactive lifestyle had 10 percent higher costs; workers with depression had 70 percent higher costs. 

Benefits of Workplace Wellness Programs 

Improved Productivity – The Canada Life Assurance Company realized a 4 percent rise in productivity after establishing an employee fitness program. 

Improved Job Satisfaction – According to employee opinion surveys conducted by the Silverstone Group about thier Workplace Wellness Programs, workers’ morale increased, which helped support a more creative work environment. 

Improved Recruitment & Retention – In the midst of a tight labor market, Workplace Wellness Programs could be a vital tool to draw new recruits. 

Decreased Absenteeism – Canada Life Assurance Company’s rates of absenteeism dropped 42 percent among workers in the Workplace Wellness Programs. 

Decreased Workers Comp & Disability – In one year, Boeing Company’s number of back injuries decreased by 34 percent. Six million dollars was saved by tracking injuries as they occurred. 

Managed Health Care Costs – Golden, Colorado Adolf Coors Company’s Workplace Wellness Programs returned $6.19 for every dollar spent.