Wellness Strategies to Improve Health and Performance of Employees

One way to build competitive advantage for any organization is to improve the health status and well-being of their employees. The workplace presents an ideal setting for introducing and maintaining health promotion programs. The poor health habits of many workers, growing rates of chronic disease, and the rising cost of health benefits have created new interest in workplace wellness programs. Many of the diseases and health disorders that affect the employees are preventable. Modifiable health risk factors are precursors to a large number of these diseases and disorders. Many modifiable health risk factors tend to increase employer health care costs and hinder the work productivity. Workplace wellness programs can positively influence workers' health risks. This paper discusses the status of worksite employees in relation to lifestyle factors, barriers to exercise participation and recommending various strategies that enhances the employee's wellness.