BenefitsEmployee Engagement

Incentives for Wellness Programs Work – 7/17

Survey: Majority of the workforce would change lifestyle for healthcare savings.
 
Just under half (44 percent) of United States firms feature company-sponsored wellness programs, up from just 30 percent in 2011. The Aflac WorkForces Report reveals the underlying driver of this growth in wellness programs – employee response and satisfaction.
 
 
According to the survey, 78 percent of workers would be at least somewhat willing to adjust their lifestyles if they had the chance to earn lower insurance premiums from their employer. Conversely, just 30 percent said they somewhat agree with the statement that they would only change their lifestyle if threatened with higher insurance premiums from their employer.
 
 
Among companies that offer wellness programs, 89 percent have 100 employees or more, and 69 percent employ 500 or more. These programs include a variety of features, of which the most common were on-site doctors or nurses, on-site workout facilities or discounted memberships, company fun runs or other events, and health fairs. Some programs also included stress management programs, preventive care, smoking cessation help, and wellness screenings.
 
 
These programs are generally well received by employees. In the Aflac survey, 88 percent of respondents at least somewhat agreed that it is fair for employees to receive reduced premiums for participating in these wellness initiatives. Among workers at companies that offer wellness programs, 61 percent chose to contribute, showing that there is a clear value to implementing initiatives of this kind.
 
 
The 2013 Aflac WorkForces Report, the third annual edition of the study, surveyed 1,884 benefits decision-makers and 5,299 employees nationwide.
 
 
Access more results here.
 

Tags: Benefits, Employee Engagement

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