Wellness Incentives To Increase Worker Participation
Wellness incentives are critical to discuss because there are so many things available to reward workers for their behavior changes. Unfortunately it seems that Worksite Wellness Programs are among the most effective when workers are provided with wellness incentives.
Better health does not seem to be enough for most to take part in any other “extra” activities while at work. Everyone leads a busy life with hectic schedules and tremendous workloads.
Adding anything else to our schedule can be challenging even though we know that by participating in a Worksite Wellness Program we can improve our health and quality of life. This can get quite frustrating for those who are responsible for developing a Worksite Wellness Program. Trust me I know as I have been there.
Before you initiate your wellness incentive plan, understand worker reward rules established by the Department of Labor and the United States of American Treasury to help you meet HIPAA guidelines.
Worksite Wellness Programs that include worker participation incentives are far more productive Worksite Wellness Programs. Corporations already “dangling the carrot” and providing worker rewards/incentives for their wellness efforts are far ahead in the race in managing healthcare costs.
What Incentives Will Motivate Employees?
Learning what motivates your workers will be the 1st step in knowing which wellness incentives you ought to incorporate into your Worksite Wellness Program. Worksite Wellness Program incentives that work for ABC business down the street will most certainly not always work for Company XYZ. Your budget will also play an influential part in the decision.
Worker interest surveys are a wonderful way to collect data on what workers would like to receive. An worker interest survey asks workers questions about what Worksite Wellness Programs they’re willing and interested in attending as well as what incentives would motivate behavior change.
Depending on the Health Risk Appraisals you select, some Health Risk Appraisals also include questions that analyze worker interests, requirements, and wants which can be useful in creating for your incentive program.
When To Include Wellness Incentives?
When to offer wellness incentives and what wellness incentives are among the most common are two complex questions. Anytime workers are introduced to a new Worksite Wellness Program, benefit, or service they’re immediately intrigued and interested.
In today’s society, health and wellness has become a hot topic of conversation and more popular than it ever has been. More people are creating to take action to improve their health through behavior change.
When Worksite Wellness Programs are introduced to workers excitement is generally high. As time goes on, the excitement can wane if better incentives are not incorporated into the overall Wellness Program.
More often than not, businesses will offer incentives like tee shirts, raffle prizes, and gift certificates for completing a Health Risk Appraisals, attending a health fair or an educational presentation.
These are wonderful worker rewards for one time activities but are certainly not enough to encourage long term behaviors change. Would you quit smoking or reduce your blood pressure for a water bottle?
For activities that require attendance (i.e. Lunch and Learn presentations, walking events, or nutrition classes) we generally suggest providing a tee shirt or gift certificate to reward workers. Nonetheless, these wellness incentives should not be the main form of worker recognition in your Worksite Wellness Program.
Corporations today are getting more serious about the types of wellness incentives workers are offered for not only participation but also for making positive lifestyle changes. A pat on the back and a “Good Job” won’t initiate change.
