Do Workplace Wellness Programs Really Work?

More and more companies are offering workplace wellness programs to their employees. According to a recent survey, 73% of employees say they're "interested" in participating in a workplace wellness program, while 59% say they already have access to at least one of wellness program. 

As the name suggests, a workplace wellness program is company-sponsored program that encourages employees to make smarter decisions regarding their health. The general idea is to create a healthier, more productive workplace by protecting employees from disease and illness. When workers succumb to injury or illness, it forces the employer to find a replacement worker, thus lowering productivity levels. The actual cost of work-related injury and illness in the United States is estimated to be $225.8 billion. Therefore, many employers use workplace wellness programs to promote a healthier workplace with lower rates of disease and illness.

However, the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs is questionable at best. One study found that workplace wellness programs offered almost zero benefits in the first year during which it's implemented. For the study, researchers from the University of Illinois analyzed data involving several existing workplace wellness programs, checking to see how they affected workers who participated in them.

These findings are somewhat contradictory to other studies, many of which suggest that workplace wellness programs do offer health benefits. Researchers say the issue isn't necessarily the program. Rather, it's the fact that workers who voluntarily sign up for workplace wellness programs already have good health. 

If a worker voluntarily agrees to participate in a workplace wellness program, he or she probably has better health than a worker who refrains from participating in such programs. As a result, the true benefits of workplace wellness programs are murky at best.

Does this mean you should avoid using or offering a workplace wellness program to your company's employees? Not necessarily, as it may still lower workers' risk of disease and illness, which could otherwise lead to increased rates of absenteeism and lower productivity levels. Just don't expect to see immediate results from such programs.

Of course, creating a workplace wellness program costs time, money and resources. But even if it protects just a few workers from illness, it can prove beneficial. If you're thinking about offering a workplace wellness program, ask your employees for input. With the right planning, you can create an effective workplace wellness program that works for your respective company.