9 Out of 10 Executives See Benefit of Worksite Wellness

Talent

Nine Out of 10 Executives See Benefit of Worksite Wellness

Dec. 6, 2012

'Employers are realizing that wellness initiatives represent a solid business strategy with myriad benefits. It wasn’t that long ago when a business might dismiss wellness as having an unproven ROI or being beyond its administrative capacity,' says business health group.

Adrienne Selko

A majority of business leaders (87%) perceive the benefits of worksite wellness, according to the results of a research project released on Thursday.

And 74% of the executives surveyed said they would look to community-based collaborations of business leaders to learn about issues related to worksite wellness initiatives and to share information if these networks were in place.

The project, called The States of Wellness, included a nationwide online survey of human resource executives as well as separate polls in six states.

“This is a significant finding,” said Tom Mason, president of the Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota, which oversaw the project. “Employers are realizing that wellness initiatives represent a solid business strategy with myriad benefits. It wasn’t that long ago when a business might dismiss wellness as having an unproven ROI or being beyond its administrative capacity.”

Almost 70% believe that larger investments in wellness help curb healthcare costs. Employers overwhelmingly agree that worksite wellness initiatives help workers develop healthier lifestyles (96%), increase productivity (84%), lower healthcare costs (84%), and reduce absenteeism (78%).

Although “costs” continue to top their concerns regarding the health of employees (84%), employers perceive other important values of worksite wellness:

decreased productivity (73%)
absenteeism (70%)
reduction of workers’ compensation or disability claims (58%).

Employers top three choices in health challenges facing employees were:

obesity (52%)
stress/mental health (51%)
lack of exercise/fitness (51%).

Other findings include:

Many employers are already committed to workplace wellness initiatives.

Led by government (83%) and publicly owned for-profit companies (75%), more than half of American employers (55%) say they have already initiated worksite wellness initiatives.
Their primary objective is to improve the overall health of employees (92%) and reduce employee healthcare costs (85%).

Employers want to demonstrate a return on their investment in wellness.

While 84% of employers place high value on measuring ROI related to wellness, only 42% of those with wellness initiatives in place actually do it.

Some employers are wary of worksite wellness activities.

Those who have not begun worksite wellness programs are most worried about cost (65%), low potential participation (59%), and lack of time necessary to implement a wellness initiative (54%).

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.