For well over a decade, research has been showing the effectiveness of Workplace Wellness Programs. For every dollar spent on Workplace Wellness Programs, the returns have been cost savings of between $2.30 and $10.10 in the areas of decreased rates of absence, fewer sick days, decreased WSIB/WCB claims, lowered health and insurance costs, and improvements to employee performance and productivity.
Statistics do show that Workplace Wellness Programs increase employee morale, improve the ability to attract and retain key workers, all while having more alert and productive employees. Some Worksite Wellness Plan return on investment statistics of note:
• Canada Life Insurance reported a return of $3.43 on Workplace Wellness Program, and an overall Worksite Wellness Plan return on investment of $6.85 on each business dollar invested on decreased turnover (32.4% lower), productivity gains and decreased medical claims,
• DuPont’s Worksite Wellness Plan pilot sites saw a saving of 11,726 disability days and a return of United States $2.05 for every dollar invested by the end of the second year,
• The Canadian government’s Worksite Wellness Plan return on investment was $1.95-$3.75 per employee per dollar spent (as reported by Dr. Roy Shephard),
• Municipal employees in Toronto, missed 3.35 fewer days in the first six months of their Worksite Wellness Plan than employees not enrolled in the program,
• British Columbia Hydro employees enrolled in a Worksite Wellness Plan had a turnover rate of just 3.5% compared with a Company average of 10.3%,
• Johnson & Johnson estimated an average saving of United States $224.66 per employee per year for the four years examined after the program introduction, with the bulk of the savings being in the third and fourth years,
• Pacific Bell reported that overall rates of absence decreased after implementing a Workplace Wellness Program,
• Coca Cola report saving $500 every year per employee after implementing a Workplace Wellness Program, with only 60% of their employees participating,
• Coors Brewing Co. reported that for each dollar spent on their Worksite Wellness Plan they saw a $5.50 return, and the employees who participated decreased their absentee rate by 18%, and
• Prudential Insurance Company reported that the benefits costs for employees participating in their program were $312, as opposed to $574 for non-members
