Healthy Employee Culture Drives Participation
Initial engagement in employee health and wellness programs doesn't always drive long term participation like healthy employee cultures. While new employee health and wellness programs often drive short term engagement through the first few months, or maybe even the first few years, creating healthy employee champions and a culture of wellness is what creates long term employee participation. Providing non-cash rewards as a component to a healthy employee culture is a great way to drive long term participation. One example of this was offering a discount in the employee portion of the health insurance premium which almost doubled employee participation in
Herman Miller Co's employee wellness program; jumping from 40% to 79% year over year for the first 3 years, but seeing a plateau in participation levels in subsequent years. Offering small denomination gift cards to retailers like GNC, Nutrisystem and CVS/Pharmacy are another way to promote a healthy employee culture by assisting employees in forming a healthy lifestyle. Instead of using typical carrot tactics to get employees to change habits, providing an environment for creating a healthy employee culture will provide longer term results that will have a greater impact on your workforce and healthcare costs.
Employee Wellness Programs: What We Can Learn from America's Top Universities
Employee wellness programs have come a long way since the days of offering free fruit in the breakroom. Today, they’re a strategic priority—not just for corporate America, but for leading academic institutions like Stanford, Cornell, Oklahoma State, and the University of Alabama.
Growing Workplace Wellness with Digital Health Tools
A recent study found that more than 90% of employers with at least 200 workers now offer some form of wellness program, underscoring the importance of promoting healthy habits like exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management. As unhealthy behaviors contribute to rising healthcare costs, the use of digital tools is helping both employers and employees navigate a healthier future .
The Rising Cost of Unhealthy Behaviors
Unhealthy habits, including smoking, poor diet, and inactivity, are driving up healthcare costs for employers. 21% of national healthcare spending is attributed to obesity alone, and overweight or obese workers miss an estimated 450 million additional workdays annually compared to their healthier counterparts. This absenteeism costs U.S. businesses $153 billion in lost productivity .
To combat these challenges, many companies are adopting wellness programs that leverage digital tools to support healthier employee lifestyles. From fitness trackers and mobile health apps to advanced data analytics, these tools provide real-time insights into employee health, offering both employees and employers a clearer understanding of individual wellness and how to improve it.
How Digital Tools Drive Wellness
Digital wellness tools offer various benefits that traditional wellness programs cannot. Wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers monitor physical activity, calorie intake, and sleep patterns. Mobile apps can remind employees to take breaks, stretch, or hydrate during the day, contributing to more active and healthier routines. These tools not only help individuals set and achieve fitness goals but also provide employers with valuable data to tailor their wellness initiatives based on real-time performance .
One of the key drivers of employee engagement in wellness programs is personalization, which digital tools excel at delivering. By providing individual health data and reminders, employees are empowered to take control of their own wellness journey. In fact, 93% of participants in digital wellness programs report that they or their family have benefited from health interventions, such as improved eating habits. Additionally, 85% found fitness activity tracking useful, and83% benefited from stress management programs .
The Role of Gift Card Incentives
Solutions like the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform are making it easier than ever to integrate wellness initiatives into the workplace. The platform allows employers to offer digital gift cards as incentives for employees who reach specific health goals or milestones. For example, employees who consistently hit their step goals, meet weight loss targets, or engage in mindfulness activities can receive gift cards as rewards. This gamification of wellness creates a fun, engaging environment that encourages participation and progress.
Employers leveraging the Engage2Reward Platform also benefit from the ability to customize incentives based on the needs and preferences of their workforce. From fitness-focused brands to healthy dining options, the platform provides a range of gift card options that support holistic employee wellness.
The Future of Workplace Wellness
While digital health tools have revolutionized the way companies approach employee wellness, it’s important to remember that these tools should be part of a broader strategy. Digital solutions excel at increasing engagement and providing actionable health data, but they should complement in-person wellness activities such as fitness classes, counseling sessions, or even team-building activities that encourage mental well-being.
Looking ahead, the use of digital health tools in workplace wellness is only expected to grow. The global corporate wellness market is projected to reach $93.4 billion by 2028, fueled by advancements in technology and the growing awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace . As more innovations emerge, from AI-driven health coaching to virtual reality fitness programs, companies will have even more tools to help employees lead healthier lives.
Start Incentivizing Employee Health
Digital health tools offer a promising way to enhance workplace wellness, providing real-time insights, personalized engagement, and measurable results. With the Engage2Reward Platform, companies can seamlessly integrate these tools with meaningful incentives, creating a positive and proactive approach to employee health. As the wellness landscape continues to evolve, digital tools will play a critical role in shaping a healthier, more productive workforce.
Building Employee Health into Your Culture
Employee health and cost of healthcare are relevant to all businesses, regardless of size. Whether you have 2 employees or 200, keeping healthcare costs in check as more provisions of the Affordable Care Act take effect is crucial. Making employe health a part of your organization is a great way to ensure these costs remain manageable. For some employers even the location of the office is a matter of employee health.
CVS Caremark and IBM Announce "Technology Solutions for Smarter Health" Program
CVS Caremark, along with IBM, announced a commitment to the "Technology Solutions for Smarter Health" grant program, which is in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers. The $1.5 million contribution supports the use of innovative technology among community health centers to improve patient care as well as increase patient engagement.
