Report explores the impact of workplace
wellness programs; alongside expert insights
into how to deliver effective initiatives and measure return on
investment (ROI)
HONG KONG, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cigna
(NYSE:CI) International Markets and Asia Care Group, a leading
international research consultancy, today published a new report
titled, Health and Wellness in Workplaces: What Works? - ROI
analysis of Health and Wellness Interventions, to provide
insight into the impact of employee wellness
programs.
The report, a summary of which is available to download by
clicking here, is the largest systemic global review into the
impact of workplace wellness interventions and reveals that:
- When properly designed and implemented, most wellness programs
yield positive returns by reducing healthcare costs, absenteeism,
and delivering productivity gains
- Mental health interventions yield the most significant ROI
compared to other types of lifestyle management initiatives
- Wellness programs with low investment levels often achieve
excellent ROI if they are well designed
- Strong support from middle managers is crucial to success,
particularly in programs related to mental health
Focused programs deliver the greatest impact
The report reveals that the most successful wellness programs
are those that have been carefully selected to tackle specific
loss-drivers. For example, implementing case management to drive
reductions in absenteeism, disease management to reduce healthcare
claims costs, and lifestyle programs to tackle physical health. As
an important first step, employers should review employee data that
has been collected from health screenings or self-reported health
assessments, to identify the specific underlying drivers of
ill-health or poor well-being prior to designing a wellness
program.
Mental health interventions yield the most significant
ROI
The report identified that mental health interventions yielded
high returns, with the most effective program achieving a
sixty-fold return on the initial investment. Mental health-related
programs include stress management coaching for employees,
providing work-life balance training sessions, and meditation
classes.
Specifically, stress management interventions, such as
counseling sessions with clinical professionals, and well-being
support, such as online coaching, yielded high returns compared to
the other interventions.
Jason Sadler, President, Cigna
International Markets said: "The concept of workplace
wellness has risen up the corporate agenda and employers recognize
that investment in effective programs helps employees to be
healthier and more productive. Our report shows that mental health
initiatives yielded up to a sixty-fold return on investment, yet
our latest COVID-19 Global Impact Study showed that only 26% of
people said their employers currently offer such support. With 53%
of people now saying they want more well-being support; this report
is a valuable tool to help employers and HR professionals to design
such programs."
Middle managers play a vital role
Programs with middle management support averaged an ROI of 10x
the initial investment. This is due to these individuals having the
highest level of direct team management within most organizations.
Therefore, to help instil health and wellness across an
organization, middle management should be central to program design
and implementation.
Dr. Dawn Soo, Regional Medical
Officer & Head of Wellness, Asia
Pacific, Cigna said: "Companies should identify wellness
champions from middle management that possess the passion and
influence to motivate employees. These people will help ensure the
success of wellness efforts by socially connecting with employees
and helping to educate colleagues about the programs on offer and
their benefits."
Wellness programs are successful, even with limited
investment
The study highlights that a comprehensive wellness program can
be developed with a low level of investment and still yield high
returns when they are well designed and supported. Out of the 90
wellness programs that reported investment levels, low investment
programs (<US$100/person/year)
reported ROI of 13.2x, compared to 3.2x for moderate
investments (US$100-200/person/year),
and 3.0x for high investments (>US$200/person/year).
In addition to monetary incentives, the report also highlights
several factors that have been shown to influence, and reduce, the
level of required investment, including the infrastructure,
capability and internal resources.
Sadler concluded, "Wellness programs which are grounded in a
solid understanding of how well-being issues manifest in a
workplace can generate impressive returns. The pandemic has shifted
the way we work and employee programs must adapt to employees'
changing needs. It is therefore critical that employers develop
robust frameworks to ensure that all well-being interventions
deliver the desired impact."
Health and Wellness in Workplaces: What Works?
report methodology:
Cigna commissioned the "Health and Wellness in Workplaces: What
Works? - ROI Analysis of Health & Wellness Interventions"
report, in partnership with Asia
Care, a leading research consultancy. An evidence-based
approach was taken to provide a broad and systematic literature
review that assesses the economic impact of workplace wellness
interventions on a global scale. The report included data sourced
from peer-reviewed academic journals (86 studies), from
non-academic sources such as government reports and
non-peer-reviewed journals (19 reports), and studies of wellness
programs conducted after 1995. While the findings of the study
focus on in-office/workplace settings and were pre-pandemic, the
study remains highly relevant for employers today as it provides
wellness solutions that can address employees' health and
well-being concerns.
The report summary is available to download at:
https://www.cignainternational.com/static/docs/pdfs/en/Health-and-Wellness-in-Workplaces_What-Works_Executive-Summary-Report-by-Cigna-International-Markets.pdf
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation is a global health service company dedicated
to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we
serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability, affordability and
access to quality care through integrated capabilities and
connected, personalized solutions that advance whole person health.
All products and services are provided exclusively by or through
operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health
and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Life Insurance Company of
New York, Connecticut General Life
Insurance Company, Express Scripts companies or their affiliates,
and Life Insurance Company of North
America. Such products and services include an integrated
suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral
health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related
products including group life, accident and disability insurance.
Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has more than 170 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links
to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
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SOURCE Cigna