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Making Wellness Your Business
July 07, 2008
How to use health and wellness rewards to motivate employees
By Dana Slockbower
It's no surprise that a healthy staff means a more productive workplace and decreases in health care costs. Studies show that for every $1 employers spend on wellness, there is a $3 savings on health care costs. Companies are now, more than ever, taking an active interest in the health and well-being of their employees. And it's not just the cost-saving element that makes this an attractive approach. A healthy workforce can mean a decrease in absenteeism, reduced turnover and a boost in performance and productivity. With these results, it's no wonder that the number of employers implementing wellness programs has tripled since last year.
Three issues that affect employee productivity are Stress, Lifestyle Medical Conditions and Presenteeism (for more on what "presenteeism" is, see www.incentivemag .com/presenteeism). A wellness program could essentially remedy all three. It's been proven that leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce stress and increase concentration. Healthy employees will use fewer sick days—and come to work feeling under the weather less often—thus increasing efficiency in the office.
So What Can I Do?
Gym membership rebates, incentives for smoking cessation, and rewards for weight loss are just a few ways corporations are stepping in to keep their workforce in top shape. Think about it: How many hours of productivity could be gained if no one on your workforce took a smoke break?
A wellness program trend companies are implementing: integrating merchandise rewards that will motivate employees to stay healthy outside the office. Many employees involved in a wellness program at work are making complete lifestyle changes—and they want to make those changes at home, too. By banking the points she earns at work for attending a yoga class, having regular blood pressure readings, and starting a "walking group" at lunch-time, a participant may accumulate enough points to earn a Nautilus elliptical. The elliptical allows her to get a low-impact, intense cardiovascular workout without leaving home. Plus, the machine exercises the arms and legs, providing a workout for the whole body.
But, as with all other rewards programs, what motivates one will not motivate all. Another participant may use those same points to redeem a cookware set from Circulon, a Monster iFreePlay (that's a pair of iPod shuffle docking headphones) and a massaging back pad from Human Touch: all rewards that still promote more healthful living.
Nonstick cookware makes it possible to cook meals without using extra grease to prevent sticking, and cordless headphones make it easier to stay motivated while exercising. Enjoying a relaxing massage after a workout is also a great way to support wellness. Taking the time to relax can enhance mental health by reducing stress and promoting a better night's sleep. With so many factors affecting wellness, it's very important to have a rewards mix that speaks to all program participants.
Do Your Homework
By sourcing a variety of merchandise rewards that can be used by participants to reach their wellness goals, companies are essentially "killing two birds with one stone." Employees are rewarded for being health-conscious at work, then cashing in the points for merchandise that motivates them to reach those goals even when nobody is looking, resulting in a complete lifestyle change—for the better.
There needs to be a variety of price points for the instant gratifiers and the long-term savers. Take into consideration a range of skill levels by incorporating free weights, workout benches and iPod accessories. Each staff member is different.
By Dana Slockbower, Director of Marketing Rymax Marketing Services Inc., www.rymaxinc.com.
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