Empowering Health Promotion in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide

Health promotion in the workplace is vital to improving employee health, reducing absenteeism, and realizing greater productivity. 

Workplace health programs bring together employers and employees to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce stress levels in the workplace, ultimately improving the overall health and well-being of workers.

These programs are proven to have tangible benefits. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cites reduced absenteeism, more engaged employees, higher productivity, and increased employee morale. In addition, companies with employee health programs have a 25% decrease in employee turnover.

In this blog, we explore the basics of health promotion in the workplace, the impact of these programs, the role of employers, and strategies for implementing health promotion programs.

Understanding the Basics of Health Promotion

Workplace health promotion is key to creating a healthy, safe, and productive workplace. The average American worker spends one-third of their life at work. And while employers are required by law to provide a workplace that is safe and free of hazards, it’s also critical that they foster a healthy work environment.

Employee health programs can prevent disease, improve workers’ lifestyles, and create a supportive environment for health. A healthy workforce also reduces the cost of healthcare insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claims. 

To understand the benefits of health promotion in the workplace, consider the cost of poor worker health. A study by Gallup found that 75% of medical costs are due to preventable conditions and $322 billion of turnover and lost productivity is attributed to employee burnout – both of which can be lessened through a workplace that prioritizes employee health.

The Role of Employers in Health Promotion

Given the benefits of worker health programs, it’s vital that employers initiate and support health promotion activities. 

Policies and practices that can foster a health-promoting workplace include offering health screenings and associated insurance coverage, wellness programs and resources, access to local fitness classes, smoking cessation programs, healthy food choices in cafeterias, and encouraging physical activity. 

Key Components of Effective Health Promotion Programs

Successful health promotion programs require several essential elements that work together to create a comprehensive approach. These include:

• Employee engagement: Encouraging employees to participate in wellness initiatives and providing them with the necessary support to achieve their health goals is crucial for promoting a healthy workplace culture and improving employee engagement.
• Tailored interventions: Health interventions should be designed to meet the unique needs of each organization and its employees. These targeted initiatives can help employees adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes that can improve their overall well-being.
• Continuous evaluation: This involves regularly monitoring the effectiveness of interventions and making necessary adjustments to keep the program impactful and relevant. Evaluation also helps to identify areas of improvement and provides insights on how to make the program even more effective.

Strategies for Implementing Health Promotion Programs

Below is a step-by-step approach to developing and launching a health promotion program. 

Step 1: Assess employee needs: To ensure engagement, workplace health programs must be tailored to the employee population, work environment, employee needs, and health goals.  A workplace health assessment or employee survey can help capture the factors that impact employee health and help prioritize health promotion programs that engage employees. Involving workers from the beginning will also reinforce a sense of shared responsibility and commitment to the program.

Step 2: Set realistic goals: For a workplace health promotion program to be successful, it should be carefully planned and designed according to the needs of the employee population. Instead of introducing numerous health strategies at once, it is more practical to focus on one or two programs initially. This approach allows employers to establish clear objectives – such as reducing absenteeism by 25% or increasing employee participation in medical screenings by 75% – and to build on early successes.

Step 3: Choose appropriate medical interventions: Interventions should address risk factors and health conditions and be based on scientific evidence and best practices (this useful report from the CDC outlines opportunities and evidence-based strategies for employers). Interventions can include workplace exercises, improved ergonomics, health checks and counseling, information and workshops about health management, healthy eating programs, on-site vaccination programs, chronic disease self-management tools, and more. To ensure health equity in the workplace, employers must ensure that interventions are available to all employees, no matter when or where they work. 

Step 3: Measure outcomes: To maximize the effectiveness of workplace health promotion programs, it is essential to evaluate employee participation and utilization, identify any shortcomings in existing programs, and assess the accessibility and effectiveness of available health resources and initiatives. Additionally, employers should measure the return on investment of health programs, including decreased absenteeism, healthcare expenses and workers’ compensation claims. This CDC Workplace Health Program Development Checklist can help with this process.

Examples of Workplace Health Promotion Activities

Numerous health promotion activities can be introduced in the workplace, including:

• Fitness challenges.
• Health education workshops.
• Mental health support.
• Stress management.
• Health screening awareness (including cancer, diabetes, alcohol and substance abuse, cholesterol, and more).
• Smoking cessation programs.
• Health eating programs or nutrition workshops.
• Discounted gym memberships. 
• Employee health and wellness tracking apps.
• Workplace exercises and office workouts.
• Cycling or walk-to-work schemes.
• Field day events.
• Leadership modeling of healthy behaviors.

Such activities can have a major impact on employee health and organizational efficiencies.

Consider these real-life success stories from the CDC:

Hussey Seating: Manufacturer Hussey Seating has implemented a workplace health program to support their mostly middle-aged workforce with physically demanding jobs. The program is specifically aimed at reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Wellness activities include health assessment and coaching, physical activity classes, lunch and learns, an onsite fitness room, an outdoor basketball hoop, walking routes, and more. 

The program is proud to report high levels of employee engagement, with 90% of the company’s workforce enrolled in the medical plan participating in the health promotion program. Furthermore, results from ongoing medical screenings indicate that Hussey Seating employees have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke compared to the national average. Read more.

Nabholz Construction:  To increase participation in its health promotion program, Arkansas-based Nabholz Construction adopted an individualized approach to lifestyle changes. The program brings healthcare into the workplace with onsite wellness screenings, a medical clinic, and a dedicated medical team. Screening is provided twice a year for employees and their spouses. 

Since its launch, almost all employees have participated in the program and Nabholz’s health insurance premiums have remained below the national average. The company also received numerous awards, including ranking among the Healthiest 100 Employers in America. Read more.

Overcoming Challenges in Health Promotion

Let’s look at some of the common challenges to implementing health promotion programs and strategies for overcoming them:

• Budget: One of the biggest challenges faced by companies is a lack of budget. Management may struggle to allocate resources or find the funds to hire professionals to implement workplace health and wellness programs.

Tip: Many workplace health programs, including exercise programs, lunch and learns, and educational programs, can be implemented at zero or minimal cost. Local health organizations or non-governmental organizations may also offer health promotion services, subject matter experts, or speakers at reduced rates or free of charge. The CDC also provides various resources and tools to help employers develop workplace health promotion programs.

• Lack of employee participation: This can result from various factors, such as lack of interest, awareness, or incentives. 

Tip: Employers who want to encourage their employees to participate in a program should make sure that the communication about the program is clear and transparent. This communication should be delivered through various channels such as all-hands meetings, newsletters, social media, print media, and posters. Additionally, offering flexible work arrangements can help increase participation as it allows employees to integrate program activities into their daily routines.

• Resistance to change: This often occurs when management fails to communicate the program’s benefits to the employees. 

Tip: When promoting a workplace health program, it is crucial to explain its advantages and secure management buy-in. This can involve demonstrating how the program aligns with the company’s goals and values, highlighting the positive outcomes employees can expect, and addressing any concerns or objections they may have. Employers can also motivate employees to participate by involving them in the planning process, offering incentives and rewards for participation, and tailoring programs to individuals.

The Impact of Health Promotion on Workplace Well-Being

Implementing health promotion programs at work, such as onsite physical exams and medical screening, can help awareness among both employees and employers regarding existing and potential health issues. With this knowledge, workers can make informed decisions about their health, while management can take appropriate interventions to support their employees’ well-being.

Healthy employees also mean reduced absenteeism. An NIH study found that workplace health interventions reduce the cumulative duration of sickness absence. 

Beyond physical health, health promotion in the workplace can also improve employee mental and emotional well-being, boost morale, and foster a stronger sense of community at work. Furthermore, creating a culture of health at work can help attract and retain high-quality talent. 

Future Directions in Workplace Health Promotion

Several emerging trends and innovations are rapidly changing how employers incorporate health promotion in the workplace:

• Digital wellness platforms, such as self-assessment tools, wearable devices, well-being apps, and on-demand Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), can help promote health, well-being, and resilience among employees.
• Personalized health interventions are also becoming a popular and successful trend. The one-size-fits-all approach to workplace health is being replaced with a more tailored approach, which has been shown to be more effective in improving lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes. These interventions can be informed by regular workplace physicals, as well as mobile health monitoring apps and technologies.
• Mental health support is also increasingly prominent in workplace health and wellness programs. A survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 92% of workers said it is important to them to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being and provides support for employees’ mental health. To learn more, read How to Promote Mental Health at Work: A Definitive Guide.

A Healthier Future Starts in the Workplace

When employers prioritize health in the workplace and make it an integral part of their organizational culture, they can improve employee well-being, increase worker morale and productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and ensure happier and healthier workers. 

At Acuity, we offer a range of employee health programs designed to help you implement a workplace health model. Tailored to the unique needs and risks of your organization and employee population, our services include:

• Wellness and prevention programs
• Workplace physical exams and medical screening
• Mobile and onsite health events
• Mental health case management and behavioral health services (covering mental health screening, advocacy, education, non-medical counseling, treatment plans, etc.)
• And more. 

We follow all the necessary regulatory standards, including OSHA and HIPAA, to ensure that our services are safe and effective.

Learn more about our comprehensive occupational health services or contact us today.