Employee health and wellness have taken center stage in workplace initiatives, especially as companies strive to improve well-being while reducing healthcare costs. In addition to reduced costs, employee wellness programs may also be connected with business success and profitability. While these programs often focus on health education and screenings, introducing a bit of friendly competition can make a significant impact, both in engagement and results.
One effective way to increase participation in your wellness program is through team-based competitions. Not only does this foster camaraderie among employees, but it also taps into their natural desire to compete—whether with themselves or with their peers. This approach is a great motivator for achieving health goals while benefiting both employees and the organization.
Why Competition Works
Competitions in the workplace have a unique ability to engage employees. A report from Wellable showed that 61% of employees who participated in health-related challenges felt more motivated to meet their wellness goals. Whether it’s running a mile, eating healthier, or losing weight, a structured competition gives employees something to work toward while holding them accountable to their team.
A team-based competition also promotes collaboration, especially when goals are aligned with company values like teamwork and mutual support. Employees are more likely to stick with their wellness plans when they know they’re part of a group effort.
How to Implement a Health Challenge
Here’s a simple approach to creating a weight loss competition in your organization:
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Form Teams: Allow employees to join teams and set collective goals. By working in groups, they can encourage one another while still competing for individual milestones.
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Set Clear, Achievable Goals: Make sure each team has reasonable goals that focus on gradual, healthy changes. Ensure that individual health data remains private, and focus the competition on the total goals achieved by the team rather than individual stats.
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Reward Progress at Regular Intervals: Keep employees engaged by offering rewards at weekly or monthly checkpoints. For example, a small denomination gift card to a health retailer like CVS Pharmacy® or a fitness brand could be a weekly prize, while bigger rewards—like an extra day off or a weekend getaway—can be offered for the team that wins the entire competition.
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Keep It Fun and Lighthearted: It’s important to maintain a positive atmosphere. The goal is to create a supportive environment where employees feel encouraged, not pressured, to reach their fitness goals.
Benefits of Competitive Wellness Programs
The advantages of incorporating competition into wellness programs extend beyond weight loss. Wellness challenges can boost overall morale, foster stronger workplace relationships, and reduce stress levels. In fact, a Gallup poll found that organizations that actively promote employee wellness programs see a 23% increase in employee satisfaction.
Additionally, improving employee health through regular fitness activities can help lower healthcare costs and insurance premiums for both the company and employees. According to the CDC, businesses with effective wellness programs can see a return on investment of $3.27 for every dollar spent due to reduced medical costs and absenteeism.
How Gift Cards Can Help
The Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform can simplify the distribution of incentives for your weight loss challenge. By offering a range of digital gift cards from health-related brands, employees can choose rewards that align with their health goals. The Engage2Reward Platform allows HR teams to manage and distribute these rewards seamlessly, making it easy to motivate employees throughout the competition.
Whether it’s a small denomination card for weekly progress or a larger reward for the overall winner, the Engage2Reward Platform offers a flexible solution that can be tailored to your specific program needs.
Conclusion
Incorporating friendly competition into your wellness program can make a significant difference in employee participation and results. By forming teams, setting achievable goals, and offering a variety of rewards, you can create an environment where employees are excited to improve their health. With platforms like Engage2Reward, distributing personalized incentives becomes easier, ensuring that your wellness program is both motivating and successful.
Ready to create a healthy competition in your workplace? Explore how the Engage2Reward Platform can help you offer flexible, impactful rewards to encourage lasting wellness changes!
