A Review of Employee Health and Wellness Programs in the United States

Abstract

Due to rapidly rising healthcare costs, employee wellness has become an important topic for small and large companies alike. As such, many organizations are now taking a proactive approach to this issue by offering incentives for employees to get healthy and remain in “good shape.” Simultaneously, some firms are penalizing employees who are smokers and those who might be above the average weight limit considered to be safe for their age and gender.

This article provides a review of trends regarding wellness programs in the modern American workplace. The authors offer practical recommendations to employers to have legal, ethical, and effective wellness programs, as well to employees to stay healthy through self-motivation, goal-setting and persistency. Suggestions for self-motivation, goal-setting and becoming healthier are provided. Also, suggestions for managers are presented so they can create a “fun” workplace for their employees since such a culture can lessen stress, as well as promote good health, and thus reduce healthcare costs.

Key words: Wellness, health, healthcare costs, stress management, goal-setting, motivation, exercise