Employers see value in workplace wellness programs

Perks matter, according to a new Health2Resources’ survey of workplace wellness incentive programs. Of the 372 small, medium and large companies surveyed, 64% use incentives for some kind of employee health, wellness or disease-management program, and “83% of those who have measured [return on investment] say the programs return a better than 1:1 return.” Employees are spending an average of $329 this year, up from $204 in 2008, to help keep workers fit. The most commonly used incentives are premium reductions, followed by merchandise discounts and gift cards. “The use of incentives in today’s health and wellness programs is almost uniformly believed among employers of all sizes to boost program success and return value,” says the report.