Employee Wellness Plans : What is a Employee Wellness Program?

A Company Wellness Program is a comprehensive program to help and support workers in instituting healthier lifestyles.  This might possibly include rising employee awareness on health subject matters, scheduling behavior modification programs, and/or instituting company policies that support health-related objectives.  Programs and policies that encourage increased physical exercise, tobacco use prevention and cessation, and healthy diet selections are a few examples.  

Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is more than physical fitness.  In addition to physical fitness, the ranges of ideal health include:

   • Spiritual Wellness,
   • Emotional Dimension of Wellness,
   • Social Dimension of Wellness,
   • Intellectual Dimension of Wellness

These dimensions are frequently illustrated as a “life wheel” with examples of health dimensions that include fitness, nutrition, purpose in life, financial organization, social connections & backing systems, stress management, mind-body health, career planning and continued learning.   The key behind individual health is keeping the “life wheel” in balance.  A comprehensive workplace wellness program addresses most, if not all, of these dimensions.

Why Company Wellness Programs?

workers spend much time on the job, and the bottom line is that our traditional work-week is increasing.  In fact, the typical American now is at work about 47 hours a week.  Additionally, technologies such as modems, laptop computers, cell phones, voice and email have confused the line between life and work.  These realities cut down on the amount of time that the average worker is able to devote to wellbeing and health pursuits, and yet workers are predicted to be top of their game when at work.

A current study conducted by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses found that workplace wellness or Corporate Health Promotion Programs are efficacious in assisting workers to make positive health changes due to several factors such as convenience, environmental backing, and co-worker or social acceptance.  

What’s the Association between Wellness and the Workplace?

Programs and policies that encourage healthy lifestyles are able to make a tremendous difference on employee wellness AND have an impact on the company’s bottom line.  Studies have shown that for each dollar invested by employers in Company Health Promotion Programs/wellness programs, there were savings ranging from $1.49 to $4.91 with a median savings of $3.14*.  In company vocabulary, that’s more than a 3:1 minimum ROI – a number that is hard to overlook, and a best practice that ought to warrant serious consideration from employers.  In fact, a Company Health Promotion Program literature review published in Health Promotion Practitioner Journal observed:

   • 19 studies observed a 28.3 percent decrease in sick time
   • 16 studies demonstrated a 5.6:1 return on investment
   • 23 showed a 26.1 percent decrease in health care costs
   • 4 found a 30 percent decline in direct healthcare and workers’ compensation claims

There is little doubt that a accross the board wellness program designed to meet a employer’s specific needs can save money by lowering absenteeism, reducing medical care costs, reducing employee turnover, and building work rate.

• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2003