A report from Buck Consultants has found that workplace wellness is an emerging significant issue of focus for national and international businesses and companies. Their survey, "Working Well: A Global Survey of Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies" has put forth some great insight into employer perspectives on wellness initiatives.
Improving worker productivity and reducing presenteeism were among the top wellness program objectives.
- 87% of respondent organizations recognize the significance of their role in managing employee health (75% in 2010)
- 36% of respondents currently measure specific outcomes of their health promotion programs
- 68% cite a lack of knowledge on how to measure these outcomes
- 34% express that this lack of knowledge is their primary reason for not measuring
- 30% of employers who measured health promotion program outcomes indicated that they increased their emphasis on wellness programs during tough economic outlook
- 62% reported health-care cost trend rate reductions of 2 percentage points or more.
- 13% reported trend rate reductions of 6 percentage points or more.
- The majority of employers cite physical activity, stress and workplace safety as the top three issues driving wellness program design.
- The survey found that incentives have a direct correlation to program participation levels, but initiatives that require long-term lifestyle changes (e.g., physical exercise, nutrition) are not as greatly influenced by incentives as are more immediate programs (e.g., health assessment, biometric screenings).
Atlanta’s Healthiest Employers
Just last month, we brought you the news of The Atlanta Business Chronicles 2013 Atlanta’s Healthiest Employers Awards. And the winners are . . . .
WINNER! Large Company 500+ . . . . * * Georgia Power
Wellness Profile:
- Employee count: 4,832 (Atlanta based employees)
- Program Launch: 2005
- Participation: 75% participation in a minimum of one aspect of program (* includes spouses)
- Most Popular Initiative: Biometric Screenings
> Large Company Top 5
- #2 . . . Fulton County Government
- #3 . . . Norfolk Southern Corporation
- #4 . . . Jackson Healthcare
- #5 . . . Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
WINNER!! Medium Company (100-499) . . . * * City of Alpharetta
Wellness Profile:
- Employee count: 410
- Program Launch: 2010 (stemming from long term investment that began in 1993)
- Participation: 88% full and part time employees
- Most Popular Initiative: “Wellness Tickets” for their yearlong participation in the wellness program. Tickets are entered into monthly and annual prize drawings”
> Medium Company Top 5
- #2 . . . Service Foods Inc.
- #3 . . . Automobile Protection Corporation-APCO/EasyCare
- #4 . . . City of Kennesaw
- #5 . . . PBD Worldwide
WINNER!! Small Company (1-99) . . . * * Meadows & Ohly, LLC
Wellness Profile
- Employee Count: 63
- Program Launch: 2009
- Participation: The element of choice:
- Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk (30%)
- Biggest Loser Contest (30%)
- Most Popular Initiative: programs equally popular with 30% each
> Small Company Top 5
- #2 . . . Fallon Benefits Group
- #3 . . . Tribe Inc.
- #4 . . . (TIE) Northwestern Benefit Corporation of Georgia
- #4 . . . (TIE) City of Avondale Estates
- #5 . . . City of Dunwoody
Be next years winner!
Start today by developing your wellness program. Review the judging criteria and start brainstorming. Why?? The benefits are endless:
- For employees
- Improve physical fitness
- Increase energy & stamina
- Lower levels of stress
- Increased well-being, self-image and self-esteem
- Weight control
- For employers
- Support recruitment and retention of healthy employees
- Lower healthcare costs
- Decrease rates of illness and injuries
- Reduce employee absenteeism
- Improve employee relations (engagement & morale)
- Increase productivity
Spring Giving!
The first day of spring has arrived! As you plan to adjust your wardrobe and breathe new life into your organizational goals and objectives, make plans to start or get active within your workplace volunteer program.
Just last year, we brought insight into how you can develop your own workplace volunteer program. Looking for your next cause or activity? Visit VolunteerMatch and see how your employees can serve another organization today.
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