The key to a successful workplace wellness program is having enjoyable activities and events that actually work. But some employees need a little more encouragement to join in on the fun.
Learn all you’ll need to know about company wellness incentives and increasing mental health program utilization.
Wellness Program Incentives: Ideas for Healthy Employees
Mental health and wellness programs only do so much good if employees aren’t using them.
When planning your wellness program, keep in mind the federal regulations on incentives. To be fully compliant, wellness incentives must not exceed 30% of the program’s total cost per person.
Read more about these rules here: 4 Laws Anyone Working in Corporate Wellness Should Know.
Workplace Wellness Incentives
When greater health and wellness isn’t enough of an incentive, companies turn to more tangible incentives for workplace wellness programs.
These kinds of incentives can be dolled out at any point in a wellness program: once someone has joined the program, after a certain length of time, or once they’ve met a personal health goal.
- Discounted healthcare premiums
- Gift cards
- Cash prizes
- Gym pass
- Workout gear, clothes, or shoes
- Activity tracker wearables (i.e., FitBit)
- Recognition awards
- Extra time off from work
You can also encourage coworkers to incentivize each other by:
- Holding group exercise competitions (like a step competition)
- Having an employee recognition program like Bonusly
- Using a leaderboard to track wellness goals and progress
Related: Check List for Evaluating Your Workplace Wellness Program
Make Wellness Compelling
Another key incentive to getting employees involved with a wellness program is to have programs and activities they look forward to participating in.
Here are some ideas other companies have found successful:
- Free healthy lunches
- Regular in-office massage
- Company-sponsored entries into local 5k and 10k events
- Bike-to-work programs
- Financial wellness courses
- Fitness challenges
- Yoga in the workplace or virtual yoga
- Guided meditation
Wondering how successful your current wellness programs are? Check out How to Measure the ROI of Your Mental Health Program.
Aim For Greatness with Your Wellness Program
After you’ve created a great wellness program with intriguing incentives and lots of employee participation, don’t stop there! Keep improving on your program by getting regular feedback from your employees.
Related: 5 Unbeatable Reasons for Employee Engagement Surveys
Are they getting bored with the incentives or the activities? Keep your wellness program fresh with regular assessments and restructuring as needed. And if you don’t already have one, get a company mental health program!
HR.com Report: The Future of Employee Engagement
Unsure why employees are disconnected? This 44-page report has dozens of insights on which talent-management strategies are driving employee engagement the most. No email is required!
