Dive Brief:
- Virgin Pulse released a new study showing a direct impact of wellness programs bolstering employee engagement. The company, which cultivates good lifestyles through technology, polled thousands of HR professionals and wellness program participants.
- Highlights of the survey revealed that 42% of respondents said improving employee engagement was their top reason for having a wellness program, which they also said is equal to controlling healthcare costs. About 85% of employers said the program had a high impact on employee engagement, recruitment, retention and company culture when wellness program outcomes were satisfactory.
- The survey also found that employers and employees are taking a holistic approach to wellbeing, with programs for mental health (72%) surpassing physical activity programs (68%). Also, about 85% of workers said managing their stress was a key factor in participating in a wellness program.
Dive Insight:
Wellness programs with additional components, such as mental health counseling, financial assistance, stress management or back pain treatment, aren't inexpensive. But a wellness program that can increase employee engagement by boosting employee participation is well worth the cost and has proven ROI.
It's no surprise that employees would find holistic wellness programs desirable. These programs are addressing the problems workers say they struggle with the most, including debt and stress caused by a number of factors. More employers view wellness as a key aspect of company culture.
Increasingly, flexibility is being seen as a part of a "wellness" culture. Workers of all ages, not just parents or caregivers, can find value in programs that allow employees to determine their own schedules around their life needs. Employers are also making offices more "homey" in an attempt to make workers more comfortable and stick around longer.
