PricewaterhouseCoopers has come out with some research on larger employer wellness programs. The study shows that just about half of the folks surveyed think the programs aren't doing what they're supposed to -- driving down costs and boosting productivity. Putting that aside, another half of those surveyed say they're going to step up the wellness activity over the next two years.I got on the horn with some of the researchers -- including Holly Bialek, pictured above -- and batted some of the concepts around. One thing keeps bugging me. It seems employers are leading with the wellness as health cost cutter, which I think may be what is keeping workers at arm's length -- just 30% or so of employees use the programs when offered according to PWC.
It seems to me that the employer's stronger line is on productivity, no? I mean a company is in the business of making sure Johnny Employee is productive, churning out a lot of good widgets. I think Johnny's likely to be much more receptive to that than the company fat cats taking away dependent health care to make sure executive comp doesn't feel the pinch. And why not position wellness as the savior of rich group medical. Tell the employees that they need to grow their way to a healthier workforce, a healthier bottom line, which will ensure Johnny a job and good benefits for years to come.
--Robert L. Whiddon
--Robert L. Whiddon
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2 comments:
I'm always shocked at the low numbers when it comes to wellness participation. Does anyone have thoughts about the old carrot v. stick idea to get people to participate? It sounds like you're advocating that this is something people do to save costs in the long run -- which sounds like a good idea in theory, but I'm not totally sure it's going to work.
One thing that came up in the podcast with the PWC folks was that other countries seem to be going for the stick. I think CNN did a piece recently on how Japanese companies are measuring waistlines and making life miserable and costly for folks that have too much pudge. The employer community has gotten pretty strict about smoking and some other things, it's taken time yes, but I think the wellness push is going to usher in a new period of not only paternal benefits packages, but also maternal as well. With both parents watching, there is no way for Johnny Employee to go astray, at least not if he wants to keep his job.
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