Worksite Wellness Programs

Introduction to Worksite Wellness Programs

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

Because work gives an worker a stable setting and support system, Worksite Wellness Programs can have a great impact on lowering high-risk behaviors. This impact results in reduce health claims cost, less absenteeism, and less short-term disability.

Worksite Wellness Programs may include:

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

Health Risk Assessment: Employee health screenings, 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.

Evaluation: Staff Member needs assessment, baseline Worksite Wellness Program assessment measures, ongoing Worksite Wellness Program assessment of overall effectiveness.

Why Offer Worksite Wellness Programs

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

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

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

The Worksite Wellness Programs at Traveler’s Company included a self-care book, a newsletter, single-topic brochures, and videotapes. The Worksite Wellness Programs saved the company $7.8 million in employee benefi t costs, decreased doctor visits, and it lowered absenteeism by 1.2 days per worker per year. The estimated Worksite 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 employers for three years. Workers with an inactive lifestyle had 10% higher costs; workers with depression had 70% higher costs.

Benefits of Worksite Wellness Programs

Increased Productivity – The Canada Life Assurance Company realized a 4% increase in productivity after beginning an employee fitness program.

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

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

Decreased Absenteeism – Canada Life Assurance Company’s absenteeism dropped 42% among workers in the Worksite Wellness Programs.

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

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