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“Rewarding employees who make their health a priority makes for happier, more engaged employees. And happy and healthy employees are better for business,” according to Talent Management.

“Plenty of studies have shown that healthier employees take fewer sick days and stay with their employer longer. Studies have also shown that employees who are both physically healthy and emotionally engaged feel a stronger sense of purpose and pride in their work, promote and embody company culture, put the needs of their customers before their own and support changes that lead to improvement and innovation.”

“Investing in employee wellness also does not necessarily require a budget reconstruction. Compared to the cost surges employers are facing with the Affordable Care Act, companies are spending just $600 per employee so far this year to reward employees for meeting several types of initiatives, according to a study by Fidelity Investments and the National Business Group on Health. ”

This includes:

• Risk management — preventive disease screenings, annual physicals and flu shots.
• Lifestyle management — meeting fitness requirements, smoking cessation or weight loss.
• Challenges and contests — workplace competitions involving a number of program components, including tracking weight loss, eating habits or steps taken in a day.

“To further incentivize wellness, some organizations have turned to recognition and rewards programs. Rewards often come in the form of cash or cash reimbursement programs — typically on gym memberships — gift cards or reduced co-payments for wellness visits. As those rewards accumulate, employees will often become further inspired to achieve loftier health-related goals.”