About 64 percent of employers say they will focus on building a workplace culture that promotes employee well-being by 2018 according to an analysis by Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.
That equates out to be two-thirds of U.S. employers who want to get more of their workers engaged in their health. Last year, only 34 percent of employers considered a wellness culture as a primary strategy.
Even though wellness program participation tends to be low, the survey showed that the average employer spends about $461 per employee.
Additional highlights from the survey are provided below:
Overall Wellness Plan Improvements
- 70 percent of employers say they have improved the workplace’s physical environment by adding walking paths, implementing bike-sharing programs or putting healthy foods in the cafeteria.
- 62 percent of employers use “local champions” to influence health behaviors.
- 61 percent encourage workers to share personal stories of their health.
Technology
- 32 percent leverage social networks to foster a culture of wellness
- 64 percent of employers offer employees online health improvement tools and 58 percent provide a web portal devoted to health related information.
Onsite Screening & Vaccinations
- 84 percent of employers offer on-site vaccinations
- 85 percent provide health risk assessments
- 73 percent offer biometric screenings
Weight Management
- 81 percent of employers in 2015 offered access to weight management programs
- 77 percent offered worksite diet and exercise activities
- 72 percent provided telephonic lifestyle behavior coaching programs
Financial Wellness
- 47 percent of employers are including financial wellness programs as part of their overall wellness strategy
- 80 percent plan to include it by 2018
Telemedicine
- 46 percent of employers in 2015 offered telemedicine
- 24 percent said they plan to offer it in 2016
- 20 percent said they were considering it for 2017 or 2018
To view the full analysis, click here.
