A Study conducted by by US health insurance provider Humana and the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 9 out of 10 staff reported wellness programmes boosted happiness & wellbeing at work.
Their research, The wellness effect: the impact of workplace programmes, which surveyed 209 US employers and 500 employees, also found that 44% of employer respondents view workplace stress management programmes as the most effective way of establishing a culture of wellness in an organisation.
The research also found:
- 67% of employees say participation in wellness programmes increases their engagement with their employer’s mission and goals.
- 91% of employee respondents say that taking part in a wellbeing programmes improves their fitness.
- 69% of employee respondents agree that health and wellness are an important part of their organisation’s culture.
- Only 14% of employees participate in stress management programmes on a regular basis - 71% believe that wellness programmes have had a moderate impact in lowering their stress levels.
- Around half (46%) of employer respondents cite lack of time as the biggest obstacle to increased participation in wellness programmes
Beth Bierbower, president of Humana’s group segment, said: “About 7 in 10 organisations in the US have been broadly successful in establishing a culture of wellness, and employee recognition of that effort is rewarding employers with increased productivity, retention and workplace engagement and improved morale.
“The survey findings suggest that employers who tailor well-designed wellnessprogrammes to specific employee needs, and then make them easily accessible in terms of time and location, achieve the highest positive impact - such as corporate yoga classes
“Another pervasive threat to wellness, and one that has not yet been adequately addressed, is work-related stress. Over half of employees believe work-related stress has taken a toll on their health. More formalised stress management programmes must be a top priority for employers and employees in the future.”
You can view the full study here
To find out more on workplace wellness programs at your company - contact Corporate Yoga Melbourne. We service many companies across Australia and New Zealand.
