Workplace Wellness Programs: Research Clearly Shows Benefits for Companies

by | Jul 20, 2022 | employee satisfaction, Mental Health, workplace wellness

Transparency is extremely important to us, so we are letting you know that we may receive a commission on some of links you click on from this page. See our disclaimer.


On the inside and outside of the workplace, a company's most valuable asset is its workers. When an organization's employees are healthy and happy, they tend to be more productive and more lucrative. The great majority of companies understand this and are willing to spend money on training programs.

The implementation of employee wellness programs is on the rise, which is excellent news not just for the employees themselves but also for the companies that employ them. There are a lot of important data and information concerning workers' health that we'll cover in this piece, and we'll also give you some advice on how to keep your business running by looking after your employees.

Facts about Employee Wellness Programs:

  • In most cases, American corporations provide wellness programs for their employees (52 percent of the time).
  • There was a 72% drop in the amount of money spent on employee medical care for firms that established a wellness program.
  • The ROI for employee wellness programs is often calculated using a six-to-one ratio.
  • Wellness activities might help minimize absenteeism by 14-19 percent.

Employee Benefits Wellness Statistics

  • Workers who participate in company-sponsored wellness programs say that they are less likely to become sick. These employees claim that being present in the workplace makes them more productive than just turning up more often.
  • Many more people claimed these programs helped them determine whether or not they were unwell, allowing them to seek care before things became worse. Employees who like going to work often say that their supervisors provide them encouragement and support. Most workers indicate they want to remain in their current positions for the foreseeable future.
  • It's interesting to note that just 40% of workers whose bosses don't care about them express a desire to remain with the same company in the future.
  • Workers who don't engage in regular physical exercise are more likely to be absent from work than those who do.

“Presenteeism” refers to the practice of showing up to work but not putting in the effort or accomplishing as much as you could. Even if an employee calls in sick and just shows up to work to check email and browse the internet, the term “presenteeism” is still employed. This kind of conduct is often seen as unacceptable by most companies. Their presence in the firm, however, is having no discernible effect on its overall performance.

  • Participating in regular exercise reduces the risk of low productivity among employees. Companies' output and profits increase as a result of this. Workplace wellness programs may be advantageous since they encourage employees to be active throughout the day.
  • According to a study, the health risks of employees who engaged in a fitness program at work were reduced by 57%. Patients who had been deemed high risk because of their body fat, blood pressure, or anxiety levels no longer were after six months of treatment with cardiac rehabilitation and exercise specialists. 

This shift was made feasible after working with experts who put them through the programs. Finally, there was a change in perspective. It was easier for individuals to engage in these programs since their employer paid for them and they were held at their place of work.

Employer Benefits Wellness Statistics

  • Investments in employee wellness may provide a six-to-one return on investment (ROI) for companies. Health care expenses and absences from work were two of the most evident indicators of this. Health-related programs might then be funded because of this.
  • Wellness programs have a favorable influence on productivity and performance for 84% of firms, according to a survey conducted in 2019. This is an increase from the 77 percent and 75 percent of respondents, respectively, who expressed the same sentiment in 2018 and 2017. According to the results of the poll, productivity and performance rose for 80% of respondents between 2015 and 2016.
  • At this time in 2019, 83% of companies report that their wellness initiatives have improved the health of their workers. Fewer respondents in 2017 (78%) than in 2018 (79%) indicated increases in 2017. In 2015, 82% of people stated the same thing, and in 2016, 82% said the same thing, which is a significant reduction.
  • Health care costs have dropped by 72 percent after the introduction of wellness initiatives in 72 percent of employers. There has been a decline in this percentage from 69 percent in 2017 to 58 percent in 2018.
  • When wellness programs are implemented, workers call in sick by 14-19% less. After implementing wellness programs, some companies have seen even higher reductions in employee absence. Health measures at General Electric resulted in a 45 percent decrease in absenteeism among employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are workplace wellness programs?

Companies offer wellness programs in the workplace in an effort to improve the health and well-being of their workers. Employer wellness programs may encourage employees to adopt healthier behaviors and increase their access to medical care as a result.

In most health-enhancement programs, you'll find all of these features. Employees who work out a particular number of hours each week may be rewarded by their employers, while those who get flu vaccines may be screened for disease.

When workers are happy and healthy, the company's bottom line improves. Both the corporation and its employees benefit from these exercise programs.

Why is wellness important in the workplace?

Prioritizing the health and well-being of employees at work is essential if they are to be both happy and productive. Even the most committed workers may be kept healthy and productive by being urged to put their own health first. The more you show your employees that you care about them, the more productive and happy they will be. Many employees believe that workplace wellness programs have helped them in their efforts to lose weight and get in shape. About 80% of the time, employees at firms with excellent health programs say they like their workplace. As a result, both employers and workers gain from fostering a healthy work environment.

The pandemic has taken a toll on employees' mental health. Would it be possible to tell whether a remote employee is having problems? The health and happiness of your workers must be a top priority if you want to keep your company afloat. If you are looking for a course to better equip HR professionals and managers to cope with employees who may be struggling with mental health issues be sure to check this one out here.

Written By Mike Veny

undefined

Related Posts

0 Comments

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This