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Creative Solutions to Engage Employees in Corporate Wellbeing Programs

"[One company] started to think well outside the proverbial box by using three unique tactics to engage employees: [1] Introducing a musical cue and making it fun (with a side of pop culture) ... [2] Make models of your employees -- literally ... [3] Participation at every level."

Help Employees Stay Resolute About Their Health Goals

"[1] Make physical activity convenient with virtual fitness programs ... [2] Stretch your idea of wellness ... [3] [Use] a bingo-style program to ... increase participation in activities around well-being, stress, fitness, volunteerism and more.... [4] Take a trip ... [5] Invent a new acronym ... [6] Host an open house."

Getting Tech Employees Engaged in Worksite Wellness

"Technology employees, like many office workers, are challenged with high stress and long hours, putting them at risk for the 'sitting disease' -- or sitting all day at their desk -- resulting in increased risk for poor health and disease.... [1] Change their perception of how much time it takes to be healthy -- offering short, convenient sessions for fitting in fitness.... [2] Play to a common characteristic found in tech employees: Competitiveness.... [3] Tech employees naturally are comfortable with technology -- and expect to use it[.]"

Wellness Program: 70 Percent of Medical Cost Savings Comes from Employees Using Health Coaches

"Research shows that 70 percent of medical and pharmacy cost savings comes from just 30 percent of employees who enroll in coaching. What's more, those who enrolled in coaching saved an average of $586 on medical costs per year, compared with an average savings of $261 among wellness program participants who do not participate in coaching. This translates to approximately 6 percent more cost savings reaped by those who participate in wellness coaching."

Eight Ways to Help Your Employees Find Time for Fitness

"[1] Leadership support ... [2] Offer a variety of fitness options.... [3] Extend hours of corporate fitness center.... [4] Step up to better health.... [5] Take a hike at work.... [6] Educate employees to overcome obstacles.... [7] Office breaks.... [8] Extend your reach with virtual fitness."

Success Factors for Reducing Employee BMI

"Coaching participants enjoyed the following results: Participants gained 0.56 less pounds than non-participants on average. Those who added fruits and vegetables to their diet lost an additional 0.65 pounds on average. Those who added whole grains to the diet lost up to an additional 4.26 pounds on average. Those who added two strength training sessions per week also lost an additional 1.23 pounds on average."

Empower Your Employees with Health Advocacy

"[R]esearch shows that fewer than 20 percent of employees actually understand their health and wellness benefits.... [I]mplementing a health advocacy program offers an efficient way for you and your employees to deal with health and wellness benefit issues. Representatives known as health advocates provide education and support to help benefits program participants navigate the health care system and better understand their health and wellness benefit options."

Igniting Worksite Wellness with Strategic Communications

"Employees can't just think about their health occasionally -- they need to consider their health year-round.... Here's what works: [1] Creating communication wellness boards ... that include information about the employee health program, wellness tips and healthy recipes. [2] Posting a one-page Stall Street Journal in company bathroom stalls with health tips. [3] Delivering leadership speaking points to managers so they can share during team meetings.... [4] Sending mailings to employees' homes four times a year to remind employees (and, in some instances, their spouses) to schedule an annual health exam or take a health assessment."

Don't Miss Insider Threats to Wellness Program Information

"[A recent survey] of more than 1,100 organizations ... showed internal actors were responsible for 43 percent of information loss.... There are two types of insider threats: [1] The disgruntled employee who tries to do something with company data to harm the company and [2] The employee who inadvertently does something with data that comes back to harm the company.... Or, it can be when employees/contractors use their personal devices for work, regardless of policy."

Fitness Wearables: A Shiny Penny for Employee Wellness?

"While it's clear that wearables have sparked an interest in employee health and wellness, do fitness trackers and wearables result in long-term behavior change for the individuals that wear them? ... How long does interest in fitness wearables typically last? Just six months, according to a [recent] report ... [which] states that after six months of use, one-third of U.S. consumers stop using their fitness wearable devices. And more than half of Americans who have owned a wearable activity tracker no longer use it."