Most employees, confined to desks for most of a typical workday, are at a high risk of falling into a sedentary lifestyle. Most people working 9 to 5 office jobs move actively only during their commute. Even while working from home, there’s a risk of being inactive, especially with the convenience of scheduling virtual meetings, which keeps one glued to their seat.

Typically, office workers sit for about 5 to 9 hours a day. It amounts to approximately two months of sitting each year, according to a 2020 Korean J Fam Med study. Prolonged sitting can impact muscles, reducing their ability to metabolise fats and sugars effectively. It potentially raises cholesterol levels and the risk of diabetes. This sedentary lifestyle also notably affects important muscles like legs, glutes, hips, and back. 

Lower back pain is on the rise among office workers of all ages, mainly due to the growing number of sedentary roles. The combination of prolonged sitting and poor lifestyle habits can have detrimental effects on the body over time. Employers should be aware of this, as back pain ranks high among the reasons employees miss work. 

This article works as a guide for wellness program incentives.

The Need for Employee Wellness Incentive Programs

Companies are now implementing employee wellness programs to address sedentary lifestyles and health issues. These initiatives aim to encourage and support employees in maintaining healthy habits consistently. Employee wellness programs aim to grasp employees’ views on food decisions, uncovering misunderstandings, myths, barriers, and unhealthy nutritional habits. These initiatives go beyond food choices, addressing and promoting a healthier lifestyle in the corporate world, and tackling sedentary habits as well.

Wellness incentives are vital in encouraging healthy habits among employees and are often paired with wellness campaigns to boost participation. A wellness incentive, whether internal or external, serves as motivation and can be in the form of rewards and recognition. 

Elevate employee engagement and well-being with a comprehensive Corporate Wellness Program that goes beyond the ordinary

The Significance of Wellness Program Incentives

The wellness program aims to encourage employees to embrace and sustain healthy habits. While internal motivation is ideal, some may struggle with unhealthy habits and require support. It is improbable to see employees eagerly signing up for a wellness program right after HR launches it. That’s where incentives and rewards come in. 

A practical approach involves offering small incentives to randomly selected employees who complete different parts of the wellness program. Not every employee receives an incentive. Instead, they earn the opportunity to participate in a random selection. Employees become eligible for this selection by completing a personal health goal, participating in a workshop, or taking on a challenge. The prospect of winning is enjoyable and often enough to motivate most employees.

The effectiveness of awarding incentives diminishes if not correctly targeted and tracked. Therefore, managing an efficient wellness incentive program is crucial for positive outcomes. 

Planning an Effective Wellness Incentive Program

Here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you in planning an effective wellness incentive program:

• Identify the behaviours you want to incentivise.
• Smartly choose appropriate incentives without draining the wellness budget
• Understand the motivations of employees for the incentives.
• Opt for a streamlined and uncomplicated method for incentivising.
• Foster open communication throughout the process.
• Prioritise selecting health-oriented incentives.

Major Types of Incentives

Below are the different categories of incentives, primarily based on budget:

• Cost Incentives: These are tangible rewards, and the cost varies depending on the quality and quantity of the materials. You can set a budget per employee or only for winners in a year. Cost incentives can be categorised into three levels:

• Low-cost incentives: Examples include water bottles, caps, yoga mats, bags, earphones, etc.
• Mid-cost incentives: Options like gym memberships, wearable devices, shoes, health equipment, etc.
• High-cost incentives: Luxuries such as vacations, a day off with pay, laptops, mobile phones, etc.

• No-Cost Incentives: These are intangible rewards and can be implemented without any additional expense. Some examples include:

• Providing paid office breaks for exercising or meditating.
• Offering flexible work hours.
• Allowing the choice of a work-from-home schedule each week.

• Progress-Based Incentives: These incentives aim to engage employees actively. For instance, you can apply this system to a 6-week weight loss challenge, rewarding participants who meet specific weekly targets.

• Participation-Based Incentives: In this type, employees receive rewards for taking part in wellness workshops or events like seminars, either through a point-based system or certificates. This incentive is popular for promoting teamwork and its lack of competition. 

• Result-Based Incentives: Employees receive this incentive upon completing a wellness goal. While it’s less inclusive, excluding participants who don’t finish a challenge, it reduces competition among participants.

Wellness Program Incentive Ideas For Your Workplace

Here are some practical wellness incentive ideas:

Paid Leave

The daily life of a regular employee is filled with work-related and personal responsibilities. It leaves little time for themselves. Juggling long work hours, meeting deadlines, managing family matters, and pursuing other needs often impacts well-being. It can lead to potential health issues. A rewarding way to address this work-life imbalance is by giving your employees the gift of paid leave. For instance, if an employee achieves their performance or wellness goals in a given year, offering them additional days off can be a highly valued incentive. 

Health Incentives

Among various incentives, employees are particularly excited about companies offering health insurance. It stands out as a top incentive that significantly impacts employee engagement. Traditional health insurance incentive programs typically focus on reimbursing health care expenses. 

These incentives may include rewards for achievements like weight loss or maintaining a tobacco-free lifestyle. However, modern health incentives extend beyond essential medical benefits, some providing perks to both employees and their family members for participating in screenings or health evaluations.

Fitness Incentives

Fitness incentives motivate employees to enhance their physical well-being. It is especially beneficial for office workers, mainly leading sedentary lives. These incentives promote increased physical activity. Sometimes, in-house meditation or gym room is not feasible due to limited office space. In that case, providing gym memberships serves as an excellent alternative. 

Online and offline resources can effectively contribute to employee health. Memberships to healthy food joints, online wellness platforms like HealthifyMe, and meditation apps enhance the effectiveness of wellness programs.

Professional Incentives

It is not necessary to motivate employees solely by health-related rewards. For dedicated and engaged employees aligned with the organisation’s goals, valuable incentives can contribute to their professional development. Boost the involvement of high-performing employees in your wellness program by providing rewards that enhance their careers, like coaching, education, and other work-related benefits.

Transit Incentives

Give financial support or discounts on public transportation passes to make bus, train, or metro commuting more economical for employees. Additionally, provide perks like reserved parking spots for those participating in carpooling.

Personal Incentives

These incentives are customised to each employee’s unique needs. For instance, congratulating employees on a wellness achievement or milestone with gift cards is a great idea. Using gift cards adds flexibility and a personal touch, especially when you can tailor them to specific brands or amenities that employees already like.

The Final Word

For effective wellness programs, it is essential to carefully plan incentives, considering the needs and motivations of employees. Managing such programs efficiently ensures positive outcomes and a healthier, more engaged workforce. These incentives can take various forms, addressing different aspects of well-being. From progress-based incentives targeting specific health goals to participation-based incentives fostering teamwork, companies have a range of options to choose from.

Understanding employees and their personal needs is crucial. The more one tailors the incentives to map actual desires, the more influential the program will be in attracting high enrollment. This principle also applies when selecting a corporate wellness provider for your company. 

Research Sources

Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks