Sick leave can take a serious toll on your business. Lost productivity, extra coverage costs, and burnout from understaffed teams—it all adds up fast. And while the pandemic spotlighted health like never before, the need for proactive wellness strategies hasn’t gone away.
In fact, U.S. employers lose $225.8 billion annually due to employee absenteeism, according to the CDC Foundation. That’s a staggering hit to bottom lines across industries.
So how do you keep your team healthy and your operations running smoothly?
Start With Employee Engagement in Healthcare
When employees take ownership of their health, everyone wins. You don’t have to overhaul your benefits package or build a gym onsite. Small actions, like encouraging regular preventive care, offering health-focused incentives, and making resources easy to access, can go a long way.
People are more likely to follow through on healthy behaviors when there’s a reason to care. Think rewards for getting annual checkups or participating in a wellness challenge. With tools like the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform, you can instantly send branded gift cards for health-related milestones, making it easier than ever to drive participation.
Tip: Opt for brands that support health and wellness initiatives, such as CVS Select® or compliant grocery gift cards.
Build a Clear Sick Leave Policy That Supports Rest
No one should feel like they have to "power through" a cold at the office. That’s how illnesses spread and teams get sidelined. If your PTO structure combines vacation and sick days, consider how that might discourage people from taking time off when they need it most.
Having a clearly communicated sick leave policy (and reinforcing that it's okay to use it!) shows you value your employees’ health—and the health of their coworkers.
Promote Preventive Immunizations
Flu season remains a top cause of missed work. It’s predictable, yet every year it still causes disruption. A review of 63 medical studies found that up to 75% of employees missed work when they had the flu or a flu-like illness. On average, they were out for 2–3 days per illness. Even more concerning: 60–80% of sick employees reported continuing to work while unwell, putting others at risk and likely underperforming themselves.
One of the simplest ways to protect your workforce? Encourage flu shots. The same study found that people who were vaccinated missed less work than those who weren’t.
You don’t have to host an on-site clinic to make this happen. Offering gift cards for vaccinations at national pharmacies like CVS® is a flexible, easy-to-implement solution. With CVS gift cards available through the Engage2Reward Platform, you can distribute them in bulk and help your employees protect themselves—and your workplace—from preventable illness.
Engaged Employees Call Out Less and Show Up Stronger
Wellness isn’t just about big initiatives. It's about showing your team that their health matters every day, not just when there’s a crisis. By making preventive care simple and incentivizing healthy habits, you empower employees to take action before they get sick.
And when your people are healthier, your business is too.
Ready to incentivize a healthier, more productive workplace? Register your organization with the Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform today or contact our team to get started.
