A focus on workplace wellness can help employers increase productivity, contain health costs, attract workers, boost morale, and support employee physical and mental health.

A company can support worker wellbeing by creating an environment and company culture that supports good health. Surveys have shown that employees are most interested in wellness programs that support an individual’s physical, mental, and financial health. A company can offer programs that focus on these areas to best support wellness goals.

How companies benefit from a wellness program

• Worker wellness benefits the company in several ways, including lower medical costs, increased productivity and improved employee retention.
• Wellness in the workplace can help people reduce the risks associated with chronic disease and obesity.

Supporting a culture of wellness in the workplace can help a company

• Control medical costs: The cost of healthcare keeps going up. Supporting worker health can help control cost increases.
• Reduce absenteeism and help productivity: When workers call in sick and miss work, productivity drops.
• Attract workers: Having a wellness program can be an asset to a company’s reputation.
• Boost morale: A wellness program can make employees more satisfied with their work. Having a wellness program shows that a company cares about its workers.
• Retain workers and reduce training costs: Having a wellness program can tie into employee satisfaction and retention. This can reduce turnover and result in lower training costs, as it reduces the need to hire.
• Support physical and mental health: The advantages of wellness programs can extend beyond the bottom line. Wellness programs support workers who are looking to make positive changes in activity level and diet. A workplace that supports employee wellness can also provide a work environment that leads employees to make healthier choices every day, from the food that’s offered in the cafeteria to opportunities for walking to meetings or taking the stairs over the elevator. Support for mental health can help workers cope with stress and avoid burnout.

The importance of wellness

Concern about the overall health of Americans is another great reason to focus on wellness in the workplace. Many Americans suffer from chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. Trillions are spent each year to treat chronic conditions and mental health conditions. Many chronic diseases are caused by behaviors such as smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, overuse of alcohol, and lack of sleep. Supporting healthy behaviors and encouraging preventive healthcare visits can help prevent chronic diseases.

Obesity is another concern. Millions of U.S. adults are impacted by obesity. Conditions related to obesity include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These are also some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death. The health implications of obesity also carry a price tag that can run into the billions of dollars. In addition, obesity is associated with a significant increase in the number of days an employee is absent from work.