Almost half (45 percent) of American workers at small- to medium-sized companies would stay at their jobs longer because of employer-sponsored wellness programs, according to the latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index.
With rising health-care costs a top concern, workers say wellness programs help them to improve their physical health and reduce stress thereby decreasing the number of sick days and reducing health care costs.
Fifty-one percent of workers believe wellness programs are very or somewhat successful in reducing health care costs, according to the index.
"Wellness programs are clearly a win-win, especially at a time when employers and their employees are more budget conscious," said Lee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Company, a subsidiary of the Principal Financial Group, in a released statement.
The survey found 40 percent of workers say they are encouraged to work harder and perform better and 26 percent miss fewer days of work by participating in such programs.
Furthermore, 47 percent of workers surveyed would participate or do participate in wellness programs to achieve better health overall.
Most workers are interested in wellness programs that improve their physical health - 27 percent would like in-office fitness facilities, 23 percent want fitness center discounts and 19 percent express interest in weight management programs.
Principal Financial says significantly more workers (15 percent) gained access to fitness facilities in fourth quarter 2009 compared to 11 percent in fourth quarter 2008.
However, workers remained concerned their health plan will change. The survey found 34 percent expect their medical plan options to change in 2010 compared with only 23 percent in 2009.
Top reasons for participation in wellness programs:
- Reduced personal health care costs (30 percent)
- Greater chance of living longer and healthier lives (30 percent)
- Receiving employer incentives for participation (28 percent)
- Reduced stress (28 percent).
The index, which surveys American workers at growing businesses with 10-1,000 employees, is released by the Principal Financial Group and conducted by Harris Interactive. These findings focusing specifically on wellness attitudes and behaviors among American workers were taken from the fourth quarter 2009 Index.
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