For far too long we have prioritized doing well over being well. While the inclusion of technology in our everyday life and at work makes things easier in some aspects, it also has the potential to become detrimental to our health and wellbeing. With more hours being spent at work and less on one’s own health, an employee now struggles to maintain healthy living for the long term. Here is where corporate wellness programs come into play! These programs aim to cultivate a healthy workplace by using a holistic approach, which is centered around incorporating various health activities within the daily work schedule to promote the employees’ well-being.
Employee Health at a Glance
Recent studies indicate that America’s obesity rate is nearing 40%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that "6 in 10 Americans have a chronic disease, a category that includes diabetes, chronic lung disease, and heart disease."
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates "47.6 million American adults experienced some form of mental illness in 2018, which equates to 1 in 5 people." Therefore, it’s in a company’s best interest to provide corporate wellness solutions for their employees.
How Employees Benefit From Wellness Programs
A study from Aflac suggested that "70% of employees enrolled in wellness programs have reported higher job satisfaction than those not enrolled in the companies’ program". This may be also because a comprehensive wellness program can help educate employees about healthy habits, which then leads them to cultivate an overall healthier lifestyle. While the dangers of smoking, for example, are more common knowledge, information on the benefits of reducing sugar, or mindful eating may not be as widespread.
Additionally, a study from United Healthcare found that "56% of employees had fewer sick days because of wellness programs".
Additional Employee Wellness Statistics
More than 9 in 10 workers say they feel more motivated at their job if their leaders support well-being efforts (APA, 2016)
61% of employees enrolled in their company’s wellness program have reported a healthier lifestyle change (Alfac, 2017)
87% of employees are expecting supportive employers for achieving work-life balance (PR Newswire, 2017)
(Research sources: cdc.gov, nami.org, online.maryville.edu, uhc.com, vantagefit.io, shrm.org, myshortlister.com)
