As we dive into 2016 more employers are focused on expanding their wellness programs. Towers Watson Staying@Work survey indicates that 75% of organizations plan to increase or significantly increase employee wellness initiatives over the next three years. But as those programs expand and change, now may be the time to re-evaluate your efforts before making any more investments.
Effective employee wellness: How do programs measure up?
Towers Watson’s Global Benefit Attitudes Survey found that out of 30,000 employee respondents only 1/3 indicated their employee wellness program drives them to a healthier lifestyle. 32% indicated these programs don’t meet their personal wellness needs. This means that although they may be participating, they aren’t fundamentally affected by the program. Participation, as noted below, does not always mean adoption. • 50% of employees participated in group-related programs while individual participation was lower • 48% underwent biometric screenings • 22% participated in a worksite exercise or diet activity
Listen and learn
So how can you solve the adoption issue? In order to see effective employee wellness, it’s important to include your employees in the program construction process. Find out the types of health and wellness activities your employees want to engage in and provide options to appeal to all fitness levels and major health issues. Gather the data and use that to craft your wellness program; stepping away from prescriptive formulas and prebuilt playbooks. Each staff member is different, which usually means that each employee wellness program will need to be different. Listen to your staff to ensure your program success.
