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Looking for a new way to boost employee engagement? A new Cornell University study suggests companies may want to consider a “Health Code of Conduct.”

Said Rebecca S. Robbins, Ph.D. ’15, lead author of the study titled “Employee Health Codes of Conduct: What Would They Look Like and Who Would Accept Them?“: “Adoption of health codes of conduct in workplaces is a feasible way for managers to effectively engage employees in wellness activities.”

The post states: “A typical health code of conduct might include annual physical exams and screenings, exercise routines and simply encouraging employees to stay home when ill.” Adds co-author Brian Wansink, the John S. Dyson Professor of Marketing: “Rewarding employees for complying with health initiatives can be as easy as lowering co-pays, offering prescription discounts, vacation days and vaccinations. Offering recognition is also a great way to show employees that their health and well-being are valued by the company.”

In the survey, a “significant majority… gave moderate or strong approval for a hypothetical health code of conduct in their workplaces.”

“To the researchers’ surprise, even workers who self-identified as being overweight (but not obese) thought a health code of conduct would improve their wellness and help them lose weight.”

“And disincentives – like having to pay higher health insurance premiums when health goals aren’t met – were okay with many workers in the study. But positive incentives and rewards – like extra vacations days – rated higher in the survey.”