The Evolution of Workplace Wellness

Justin Held, CEBSFebruary 10, 2020February 6, 2020

The International Foundation has surveyed benefit practitioners about their workplace wellness initiatives for nearly a decade. Over that time period, there has been a marked shift in the primary motivation for offering these benefits—from controlling organizational health care costs to improving overall worker health and well-being.

In the recent Foundation study, Workplace Wellness Trends: 2019 Survey Report, this evolution is demonstrated in the initiatives offered by responding organizations. Respondents continue to offer time-tested offerings like physical fitness, nutrition, health screening and tobacco/smoking-cessation programs.

However, organizations are adding initiatives aimed at improving mental and behavioral health, offerings designed to target worker growth and individual purpose, and programs created to enhance social and community connections. Below are some of the initiatives being offered by 514 U.S. survey participants in these emerging categories. Compare this list to your organizational offerings: you may realize that you offer more wellness initiatives than once thought.

Mental/Behavioral Health Initiatives

International Foundation research has shown an increased emphasis on mental and behavioral health as part of respondent workplace wellness initiatives.

90% offer access to employee assistance programs (EAPs)
87% provide workers with mental health coverage
73% offer substance abuse treatment coverage/benefits
35% include a mental health assessment in their health risk assessment (HRA) offerings
34% host mental health educational/informational sessions at the workplace
23% offer stress management programs
23% host on-site meditation/mindfulness classes
17% provide gratitude/appreciation journals/initiatives for workers
15% offer mental health first aid/crisis training to identify and help individuals who are in a mental health crisis or may be developing a mental health problem

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Worker Growth and Individual Purpose Initiatives

An emerging field of wellness initiatives is targeted at the professional and personal growth of workers. Currently, 97% of respondents provide one of more of these offerings.

69% design service recognition programs
66% provide tuition reimbursement/assistance
64% reimburse for worker professional memberships
61% notify all staff of internal job openings and encourage qualified candidates to apply
58% host lunch and learns
58% offer flexible work arrangements including telecommuting, condensed workweeks and job sharing
55% design their performance reviews to be tied to the organizational mission
54% encourage worker transfers when internal opportunities better fit worker interests
53% subsidize worker professional development
53% encourage workers to use vacation time
50% provide financial education initiatives
50% offer manager training initiatives to improve worker growth and individual purpose
47% fully or partially subsidize continuing education for professional designations
38% offer leadership opportunities outside the job hierarchy structure through work teams, committees and/or councils
32% design formal mentorship programs for more experienced workers to guide younger workers through their tenure
23% provide transportation/parking subsidies, which can be valuable in areas of congestion or among workforces with longer commutes
14% conduct stay interviews, a retention tool that entails periodic meetings designed to keep and engage talented workers
13% provide built-in creative/autonomous time for workers, defined as the flexibility to spend a certain amount of time on independent or “pet” projects
10% offer student loan payment programs

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Social/Community Initiatives

More than nine in ten respondents (91%) offer at least one wellness initiative intended to create and enhance connections in the workplace and in the community.

80% host on-site events/celebrations
63% arrange community charity drives/events, including food and school supply drives
56% participate in community volunteer projects
54% organize staff outings
50% host on-site blood drives
45% arrange various team-building activities
36% provide cultural/diversity initiatives or training
34% offer paid time off for volunteer activities
29% provide matching gift/matching donations
25% host themed dress-up days
22% organize happy hours
15% arrange game leagues such as bridge, chess and fantasy sports

[Related Reading: Top 40 Wellness Offerings to Make Work a Better Place]

Learn More About Workplace Wellness Trends

The Foundation’s Workplace Wellness Trends Report is a great resource to benchmark your organization’s wellness initiatives. Available free to International Foundation members!