Dive Brief:

• Total well-being programs continue to make strides in popularity, according to a survey from Fidelity Investments and the National Business Group on Health.
• The the 7th annual Survey on Corporate Health & Well-being found that programs that go beyond typical wellness by helping employees manage stress, improve their resiliency and cope with financial challenges have shown real growth.
• In 2016, 87% of employers offer emotional or mental well-being programs and 76% provide financial health programs. When employers were asked about well-being programs in the future, 67% plan to expand their efforts and an additional 17% plan to maintain at the current level.

Dive Insight:

Adam Stavisky, senior vice president, Fidelity Benefits Consulting, says that employers have long understood the importance of improving employee productivity and are now focused on drivers of well-being, such as emotional stress and financial challenges, to achieve their goals.

For example, BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, launched its wellness program in 2012. Mollie O’Brien, director, Total Rewards at BASF said that based on the positive response from employees in the U.S., BASF is looking at ways to enhance the program in the future – for example, by strengthening its financial wellness offering. 

Brian Marcotte, president of National Business Group on Health, explained that social factors and an employee's environment play an important role in engagement and in their view of overall well-being as well.