Increasing Participation in Corporate Wellness Programs

ABSTRACT

The implementation of corporate wellness programs has continued to increase as companies recognize benefits including improved employee morale and productivity along with a reduction in turnover. Employee perceptions of these programs have undergone a similar shift as such programs are now viewed by many as an essential part of the benefits package. In a tight labor market, gaining and retaining key personnel can be a critical competitive determinant. Often, however, differences among employees are not considered in the design and implementation of a corporate wellness program. This study examines the potential for a wellness program segmentation strategy to more effectively target employee groups. Use of such a differentiated approach can enhance the human resources management potential of wellness programs as well as contribute to an organization's morale, retention, and even competitiveness.

Key Words:

• Wellness programs
• attitude surveys
• human resources
• segmentation
• internal marketing
• employee benefits
• turnover