A recent survey by New York-based corporate wellness platform Wellhub highlights a growing trend among executives: investing in employee wellness pays off. The survey, which included 1,500 CEOs earlier this year, found strong support for programs that boost employee health, engagement, and productivity.

Around 80% of CEOs reported that workplace wellness programs deliver tangible benefits, with larger companies often seeing the most impact. Increased employee productivity was cited by more than half of respondents. Other major benefits included reduced absenteeism (67%), stronger recruitment appeal (80%), and higher employee retention (73%). CEOs also noted that wellness programs can improve company reputation and help manage healthcare costs.

Wellness initiatives cover a wide range of offerings. Many organizations provide wearable fitness technology, wellness challenges, mental health apps, and financial literacy programs. Programs that actively engage employees tend to yield the strongest return on investment, with traditional fitness and mental health programs consistently drawing high participation.

When it comes to popular perks, gym membership subsidies lead the list, followed by on-site fitness centers and outdoor workout groups. Technology is increasingly part of the wellness mix with 35% of CEOs reported incorporating fitness trackers or smartwatches, and 33% offering fitness apps to employees. Mental health support is also common, with more than half of companies providing therapy or counseling services, stress management workshops, and mental health days.

Financial wellness is gaining attention, too. Nearly half of the surveyed CEOs offer retirement savings plans, while some provide financial advising, stock options, emergency savings programs, and tuition or student loan assistance.

Locally, ASE survey data from the 2024 Michigan Policies and Practices Survey shows:

• Nearly 13% of survey respondents offer on-site exercise facilities or reduced membership rates at local health clubs
• Another 12% offer reimbursement for exercise classes

• 28% offer smoking/tobacco cessation programs
• 12% offer diet/nutrition education

Getting Started: Ideas for a Workplace Wellness Program

• Offer gym membership discounts or on-site fitness classes
• Introduce wellness challenges, like step-count competitions or healthy eating campaigns
• Provide access to mental health apps, counseling, or therapy services
• Schedule stress management workshops or mindfulness sessions
• Encourage flexible work schedules or mental health days
• Implement wearable fitness trackers or fitness apps for employee engagement
• Offer financial wellness programs, including retirement planning, financial advising, or emergency savings assistance
• Support educational initiatives, like tuition reimbursement or student loan assistance
• Host team-building events focused on health and well-being
• Create a wellness committee to gather employee input and guide program development

Thoughtful, engaging wellness programs that address both physical and mental well-being can strengthen teams, improve retention, and contribute to the bottom line.

ASE Connect

Workplace Wellness: ASE partner, Workplace Wellness creates, implements, & fully runs personalized corporate wellness programs for small & midsize businesses as a preventative medicine benefit. With the use of their end-to-end mobile app and a dedicated Workplace Wellness Consultant, companies can offer this robust, engaging wellness program without bogging down their very busy internal resources and still look forward to successful, affordable augmentation.  ASE members receive a 10% discount.  Request more information..

ASE Workplace Wellness Resources: Visit ASE's Workplace Wellness Resources page for valuable resources to support a wellness program.

Source: CCH