Workplace wellness is an internal issue which consists of promoting and incentivizing healthy behaviors to help employees to live better. Many companies also realize their potential to influence broader swathes of the community through the information and opportunities they offer their employees; encouraging healthier habits can have a ripple effect on an employee’s family and friends. Although they vary in scope, many workplace wellness programs include:
- Biometric screenings
- Incentives for exercise, such as on-site facilities or a discount to join a local gym
- On-site trainers or dieticians
- Healthy items available in vending machines and/or in an on-site cafeteria
- Information about good nutrition
- Walking or running meetings (as opposed to while seated in an office)
- Regularly-held health information webinars, meetings, or fairs
Why does business engage this issue?
Rising healthcare costs. Rising healthcare costs are one of the biggest challenges facing employers today. Encouraging employees to take preventative measures to protect their health can be beneficial for both the individual and his or her employer, particularly for large businesses, where workplace wellness programs have been demonstrated to be an effective way to bring down health care costs for both employers and employees. According to the U.S. Workplace Wellness Alliance (2005), a meta-review of 56 published studies showed that worksite health reduction programs reduced health costs by an average of 26%.
Positive Changes in the Community. Companies also recognize their ability to make positive changes in the larger community through their employees. As the obesity rate tops 35% of the American adult population (2010), the ability to encourage healthy lifestyles among as many people as possible could play a key role in reducing obesity and improving overall quality of life.
The BCLC Approach |
2013 Issue Networks |