“Prevention is better than cure.” This mantra has become a rallying call in boardrooms across the globe as employers aim to build a healthier, more productive workforce. With 52% now offering wellness programs, the corporate wellness ship is truly gaining momentum.
And yet, rolling out a wellness program is only half the battle. As studies show, the real challenge lies in engagement, i.e., turning a good idea into a company-wide habit. Often, the first group to engage with a new wellness offering includes people who already have a wellness routine. That leaves you with a majority of reluctant participants who may need a gentler nudge in the form of incentives.
So, how can you design incentives that speak to both the go-getters and the hesitant, creating a culture of wellness that truly includes everyone? Also, what are the best preventive health activities to motivate all employees, regardless of their starting point?
Most Popular Preventative Health Activities
For context, a preventative health activity is any action or behavior that aims to maintain or improve health and well-being before the onset of illness or injury. These activities are designed to detect, prevent, or minimize the impact of disease and other health problems.
As noted in the Kaiser Family Foundation 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey, most workplace wellness programs are typically structured around several key preventative health activities:
- Health Risk Assessments: Regular check-ups, biometric screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI), and early detection tests.
- Physical Activity: Exercise programs, walking challenges, gym memberships, or on-site fitness classes.
- Smoking Cessation: Programs and resources to help employees quit smoking.
- Mental Health Support: Access to counseling services, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and mental health resources.
- Chronic Disease Management: Programs to help employees manage ongoing health conditions.
Pro Tip: There’s no custom fix for all workplaces. The choice of preventative health activities depends on your workplace environment, employee demographics, and industry-specific health risks. The key is to offer a range of activities that can appeal to and benefit employees at various stages of their health journey.
12 Effective Ways to Incentivize Employees to Engage in Preventative Health Activities
As we’ve discussed before, motivation is a powerful drug. It is the driving force, the combination of biological, emotional, social, and cognitive powers that activate human behavior. That’s why incentives work.
In its simplest form, an incentive is a lure, an attraction that motivates you to achieve or exceed a specific goal. But while they can be powerful tools, their effectiveness often depends on how they’re structured and implemented.
Here are some common ways to incentivize employees properly:
- Tailor incentives to individual preferences and health goals
Employees are not monoliths. They have diverse health needs, wants, and motivations. To meet that, offer a range of incentives that appeal to different interests. For instance, some employees might prefer gym memberships, while others might value healthy meal delivery services. Conduct surveys or allow employees to choose from a menu of incentives to ensure the rewards are meaningful to each individual.
- Implement a points-based reward system for various health activities.
Create a comprehensive system where employees earn points for different health-related activities, such as completing health screenings, attending wellness workshops, or logging exercise minutes. These points can then be redeemed for rewards.
- Offer financial incentives like insurance premium discounts or HSA contributions.
Financial rewards are powerful motivators for many employees. Consider offering health insurance premium discounts for employees who participate in wellness activities or meet certain health goals. Alternatively, contribute to employees’ Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) based on their participation in preventative health programs.
- Create team-based challenges to foster social support
Accountability is as important as motivation when trying to build healthy habits. Team-based activities can create a sense of camaraderie and peer support, making health initiatives more enjoyable and sustainable. To maximize participation, offer rewards for both individual and team achievements.
- Provide non-monetary rewards such as extra time off
Incentives can be non-financial. Offering additional paid time off, “wellness days,” or more flexible work hours can be highly valued by employees.
- Use gamification techniques to make health activities more engaging
Apply game-design elements to your wellness program to increase engagement. For example, create levels or badges for achieving different health milestones. Introduce an element of chance (like a prize wheel for completing activities). If possible, develop a wellness-themed game or app specific to your company.
- Offer tiered incentive programs with increasing rewards
Create a multi-level program where employees can earn progressively better rewards as they increase their engagement. For example, basic participation might earn a small reward, while more extensive involvement could lead to premium incentives. This approach encourages ongoing and deepening engagement with the wellness program.
- Leverage technology like wellness apps and wearable devices
Integrate fitness trackers or wellness apps into your program. These can automatically log activities, set personalized goals, and provide real-time feedback. Consider subsidizing the cost of these devices or partnering with tech companies to offer special deals to employees.
- Implement a choice-based incentive system
Offer a “cafeteria-style” rewards program where employees can choose incentives that appeal to them personally. Options might include fitness classes, healthy meal services, massage therapy sessions, or contributions to charitable causes.
- Use social recognition programs
Create a platform (like a company intranet or newsletter) to publicly acknowledge employees’ health and wellness accomplishments. This taps into the power of peer recognition and can motivate others to participate.
- Demonstrate commitment through leadership participation
Encourage leaders at all levels of the organization to actively participate in and champion wellness initiatives. When executives and managers set the tone, employees are more likely to follow, which can inspire wider participation.
- Foster a culture of health and well-being
Integrate wellness into the company’s core values and day-to-day operations. Normalize walking meetings. Celebrate health-related achievements in team meetings. Incorporate well-being check-ins into regular workflows. A strong culture of health makes participation in wellness activities feel natural and expected rather than forced or optional.
Closing Thoughts
The journey to better health is an ongoing quest. After all, gaining bad habits is easier than losing them. While incentives can jumpstart participation in healthy activities, the ultimate goal is to foster intrinsic motivation for healthy behaviors. Celebrate small wins, learn from setbacks, and always keep the long-term vision of a healthier, happier workforce at the forefront of your wellness initiatives.
Want to see how to incorporate these tips ti boost employees’ preventative health in your wellness program? Schedule a call with one of our experts today. Let us help you create a productive, healthy, and happier workplace!