As wellness programs expand, employees demanding better incentives

Even in difficult economic times, employers are expected to increase the quality of wellness programs they are offering their employees, benefits experts say (Source: “Employees need bigger carrot for wellness programs,” Akron Beacon-Journal/Associated Press, Oct. 28, 2008).

Because health costs are increasingly being shifted to employees, human resources consultants say employers need to offer programs to help employees stay healthy.  An annual survey of Fortune 1000 companies by Towers Perrin has found that employer interest in wellness programs has doubled in the past five years. Likewise, surveys by Aon Consulting have found that the percentage of employers that offer smoking cessasion programs will increase from 46 percent this year to 55 percent next year, and 66 percent will offer health risk appraisals next year, compared to 48 percent this year.

Getting employees to participate, however, is becoming more difficult, meaning employers need to increase incentives and create a company culture where wellness is emphasized.