What's the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs?

Posted: 24 May 2012 Last revised: 15 Aug 2015

See all articles by Leonard Berry

Leonard Berry

Texas A&M University - Department of Marketing

Ann M. Mirabito

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business

William Baun

University of Texas at Houston - MD Anderson Cancer Center

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

Employee wellness programs have often been viewed as a nice extra, not a strategic imperative. But the data show otherwise. The ROI on comprehensive, well-run employee wellness programs can be as high as 6 to 1.

The most successful programs have six essential pillars: engaged leadership at multiple levels; strategic alignment with the company's identity and aspirations; a design that is broad in scope and high in relevance and quality; broad accessibility; internal and external partnerships; and effective communications.

Companies in a variety of industries have included all six pillars in their employee wellness programs and have reaped big rewards in the form of lower health care costs, greater productivity, and higher morale.

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Suggested Citation

Berry, Leonard and Mirabito, Ann M. and Baun, William, What's the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs? (2010). Harvard Business Review, December 2010, Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2012-68, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2064874

Leonard Berry (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University - Department of Marketing ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States
979-845-0804 (Phone)

Ann M. Mirabito

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business ( email )

1 Bear Place 98007
Waco, TX 76798
United States

HOME PAGE: http://business.baylor.edu/directory/?id=Ann_Mirabito

William Baun

University of Texas at Houston - MD Anderson Cancer Center ( email )

1515 Holocombe Blvd
Unit 1905
Houston, TX 77030
United States

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