February 28, 2011

The same principles I mentioned to drive the success of employee incentive programs can also be applied to drive successful health and wellness incentive programs (HRAs, screenings, smoking cessation, weight management, exercise, drug adherence, chronic condition management, etc.). In my January 6 blog, I mentioned "key will be top down communications and a supported strategy to recognize and reward employees..." Merely offering an incentive solution--in and of itself--to get individuals to act may fall short of desirable results. A truly successful incentive program is part of a broader and overall strategy that includes "top down through the ranks support"; clear and ongoing communications as to what the program or programs are about, how it will benefit individuals, how it will benefit the company, how to participate, how incentives will be used, i.e., type of incentives (e.g., premium reduction/contribution, cash through payroll, merchandise, gift cards, etc.); incentive frequency, demographic focus, etc.

Ongoing communications will need to reinforce the overall strategy and emphasize that the company is doing their part to support health improvement in the employee population and a positive workplace environment, but that employees must also take responsibility for undertaking health promoting activities and lifestyle changes. The objective is to advocate and support a health promoting "culture" that will benefit both employee and employer.

In a well designed and executed incentive program focused on health improvement, healthy lifestyle change, and health management, employees are given a little push to participate through a reward. Ongoing rewards can contribute to sustaining participation in challenging wellness incentive programs, such as smoking cessation or weight management. Ultimately, engaged employees will realize that the real reward will be their own personal sense of accomplishment and achievement by taking steps to improve or manage their health and seeing the fruits of their labor, whether it is losing 5 or 10 pounds over a period of time, taking a walk every day, or kicking the smoking habit. The employer will likewise benefit from having more productive employees, potential healthcare cost reductions, and an improved workplace environment.