Organizations know employee wellness programs are no longer simply nice to have — they’re a vital business strategy that lowers costs and boosts productivity. Wellness offerings are becoming commonplace within an employee total compensation package because of the benefits evidenced by effective implementation. There are various approaches to addressing employee well-being, from specific wellness management platforms that host challenges, to fully comprehensive wellness offerings.

Consistency creates sustainable changes in employee behavior. So, how do employers know which approach will best impact their VOI? This article discusses the different styles of pursuing employee well-being and dives into what types of corporate wellness programs drive results.

Strategies for an Effective Wellness Program

In this post:

1. What are the Different Types of Wellness Programs?

2. What Should be Included in an Effective Wellness Program?

a. Planning

b. Administration

c. Evolvement

3. Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs that Work

a. Do wellness programs save companies money?

4. Strive Corporate Wellness Programs are Designed to Drive Results

What are the Different Types of Wellness Programs?

Successful wellness programs are designed based on the needs and interests of their employee population. Wellness offerings fall into four categories:

• Counteractive action – healthy eating, exercise, stress management
• Risk reduction – health screenings, smoking cessation
• Controlled progression – decreasing or moderating existing illnesses or diseases
• Prevention – set of initiatives for consistent improvement of well-being

There are wellness platforms or apps that focus on virtual wellness services or that host wellness challenges. Wellness platforms are attractive to organizations with sizable budgets as they require internal management, technology, and at times the more expensive option.

Strive leverages a preventative approach by being a one-stop-shop from account management and a wellness platform to comprehensive wellness initiatives and engagement data. Our fully administered wellness programs and fully-burdened pricing design allows organizations to put their time towards big picture goals and wellness strategies, rather than data analysis and billing.

What Should be Included in an Effective Wellness Program?

In addition to offering wellness initiatives that address all eight pillars of wellness, there are other components that contribute to a program’s effectiveness. When implemented intentionally, employee wellness programs are an invaluable resource for organizations.

Planning

The pre-planning phase of implementing a wellness program is often underappreciated and underestimated. Decisions made and actions taken in this stage heavily impact the program’s success.

• Leadership support – multi-level leadership support is imperative. They must be able to define what success looks like, how it aligns with business goals, and be willing to consistently communicate and participate when possible
• Collaboration – choose dynamic & customized programming based on feedback from an employee needs & interest survey
• Wellness team – identify who is internally responsible for the success and sustainability of the wellness program (ideally someone with passion for and knowledge of wellness, otherwise consider dedicating resources to vendor consulting)
• Budget – determine available internal and external funding (ideally for a year)

Administration

Whether organizations choose to administer the program internally or leverage a wellness vendor to ease the burden, there are elements vital to the wellness program’s effectiveness.

• Quality instruction – recruiting, screening, & hiring qualified instructors
• Seamless coordination – registration, liability waivers, engagement data collection, & consistent class/event scheduling (simplified with electronic platforms)
• Communication – frequent, consistent communication regarding upcoming/rescheduled/canceled classes

Evolvement

With the wellness program off the ground, it’s time to analyze engagement data, collect employee feedback, and decipher how close it is to the previously defined success metrics. Employee wellness programs require ongoing management and iteration to avoid growing stale or becoming obsolete. Analyze your data and ask for honest feedback to continuously evolve the wellness program for maximum engagement.

Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs that Work

Employee wellness programs that work are evidenced by a multitude of benefits. Employees that are encouraged to prioritize their well-being and manage their stress improve lasting health behaviors that help reduce or contain lifestyle-related diseases. They feel supported by their leadership, connected to the business goals, and contribute to higher productivity, recruiting, and retention rates.

A workplace that embraces a culture of wellness is open to forming meaningful connections with one another, maintaining positive morale, and having more fun. Results-driven corporate wellness programs instill confidence and strengthen the resilience of dedicated workforces.

Learn more about How-to Structure an Organization that Supports Employee Well-Being.

Do Wellness Programs Save Companies Money?

When wellness programs drive results, yes! As employees develop and reach personal goals, they adopt healthier behaviors that reduce health risks. This leads to a decrease in insurance claims being filed, which results in lower benefit renewal costs. The best form of preventative health measure is taking care of a person’s overall well-being. Organizations with healthier, happier employees report fewer absences and use of sick pay. Some have seen their ROI as high as 6-to-1.

Wellness programs also create and strengthen workplace culture, which is associated with higher retention rates. This is critical as it costs significant time and money to recruit, interview, hire, and train replacements.

Strive Corporate Wellness Programs are Designed to Drive Results

Protect your biggest asset by building a healthier workforce. Strive’s corporate wellness programs are cost-effective and results-oriented. Our team loves to collaborate to build an effective, customized program for your unique workforce and budget. Included in Strive’s services are an account manager, a registration and liability platform, and the collection and analysis of engagement data for insight into the program’s effectiveness. Marketing materials and class schedules and reminders are also included in Strive’s fully-administered employee wellness programs. Book a discovery call with a wellness expert to explore the possibilities for your organization.