Dive Brief:
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There are several steps employers can take to increase participation in workplace wellness programs, career expert Dana Manciagli wrote in The Business Journals.
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These include prioritizing wellness, making time for wellness, rewarding employees for participation, incorporating technology and expanding the focus of wellness programs.
- Wellness programs are becoming a mainstay in workplaces, but employers and payers are still figuring out how to maximize their ROI.
Dive Insight:
Manciagli offers advice to employers hoping to boost participation in their workplace wellness programs. One recent survey from Jiff, for instance, supports the concept that prioritizing wellness and incorporating technology can boost participation. However, there is no silver bullet when it comes to crafting an effective workplace wellness program.
Technology seems destined to play a larger role in workplace wellness programs, but payers and employers are still determining best practices for using technology like wearable devices to improve outcomes. Offering incentives can boost participation in workplace wellness programs, but payers and employers are learning that these need to be carefully designed to be effective.
While it can be difficult to design an effective workplace wellness program, the effort can be worth it. A 2014 paper from RAND showed workplace wellness programs can save employers up to $30 per member per month. That paper suggested employers target employees who already have chronic conditions, pay attention to program costs and commit to execution.