Over the years here at HR Morning, our staff has pored over hundreds of wellness program studies and success stories — and we’ve compiled five traits highly successful programs have in common.
The majority of accomplished wellness programs (those that either cut healthcare costs or help employees improve their health) tend to share these characteristics:
1. They don’t just emphasize weight loss. Top wellness programs don’t just focus on helping people look better but rather helping them feel better. And reducing employee stress goes a long way toward achieving that goal. This is where employee assistance programs that offer things like counseling and financial management education can come in handy.
2. Company leaders lead by example. The CEO and senior leaders must embrace the program in order for any wellness initiatives to get off the ground. The good news: Your CEO doesn’t need to lead a lunchtime walking group to show his or her support. There are other ways the top brass can let employees know management’s bought into the company wellness program. Some ideas: offering company-sponsored incentives for participation, partnering with a local gym or health clinic or providing healthy snacks in the lunch room.
3. They provide convenient resources. Do your employees have easy access to free nutrition guides, exercise equipment, simple preventive care (like flu shots) or smoking cessation programs/products (like nicotine gum)?
4. They offer attractive incentives. By now, these require little explanation. But some of the most popular include partially-paid gym memberships, cash rewards for hitting health goals and insurance premium credits.
5. They haven’t scaled back because of budget problems. Can’t afford to offer cash incentives or set up an on-site gym? Then get creative and dish out some free rewards like T-shirt Fridays or premier parking. You can even host an on-site health fair by inviting local businesses like fitness centers and health food stores to share info about their products and services with your employees.
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