3 Hazards of Workplace Wellness Programs...And How to Avoid Them
Workplace wellness programs are a great tool to motivate employees to be healthy and control health care benefit costs. However, poorly administered plans can wreak havoc on employees and employers alike. Here are three hazards that can foil your workplace wellness efforts, and how to avoid them.
Boost Employee Health with Friendly Competition
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.
Wellness Programs Lead to Healthier Employees, Lower Costs
The Affordable Care Act is here, and even though
most open enrollment periods are now over for the year, there is still time to improve your employee health and lower future health care costs. Implementing health and wellness programs can both lower health care costs for employers, and place accountability on employees for their own health. Chad Koerten, who works for KI Furniture near Green Bay, WI has credited his organization with an 80 lb. weight loss over his 15 years with the company.
Whole Foods, Sticking to Its Roots
It is great in today's business environment to see a large national brand sticking to its roots, what made it successful. Whole Foods is doing just that with its Local Producer Loan Program.
Employee Wellness Pays for Itself
Employee wellness programs are a growing trend with new Affordable Care Act rules going into effect. But according to a new
2013 Aflac WorkForces Report employee wellness programs are not just a fad. Employees enrolled in wellness programs are more knowledgable about their benefits, express confidence in their employer, are more satisfied with their job and benefits, and are healthier. The report includes some staggering charts including the one below. The report sends one simple message loud and clear: employee wellness programs work when employees are properly engaged and incentivized.
If you want to read more about employee wellness benefits or the Aflac report, check out this article from Small Business Trends.
