The Impact of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employees in a University Setting

The Impact of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employees in a University Setting PDF Author: Thomas Halloran
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee health promotion
Languages : en
Pages : 75

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Book Description
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 contained incentives for worksites to develop workplace wellness programs (WWP) and employee wellness programs (EWP) (Kaspin et al, 2013). These programs have shown positive outcomes to companies in various dimensions, each independently studied. Historically, studies have examined one dimension of wellness and typically within a corporate setting. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational wellness intervention on physical activity and overall well-being based on the 8 dimensions of wellness in university faculty and staff. The specific aims of this study include 1) Participants will gain the knowledge and understanding of the 8 dimensions of wellness and how to incorporate the 8 dimensions into their daily lives and 2) Participants will identify areas of improvement within the 8 dimensions of wellness to create a balanced, holistic approach to wellness. METHODS: Employees underwent an eight-week intervention called the Employee Wellness Institute (EWI). Employees met once a week for 90 minutes. Each session highlighted one or two of the eight dimensions of wellness. Participants (N = 12, 72.7% female; 81.8% white) were university faculty and staff. Demographics were collected by a self-reported survey during the first visit and anthropometric data was collected by a trained researcher during the first and last visits. Body weight and height were collected using TANITA digital scale and SECA stadiometer. Body mass index was measured by dividing weight (kg) by the participant's squared height (m). Participants measured physical activity via pedometer (New Lifestyle 1000) and self-reported activity minutes during the entire length of the Employee Wellness Institute. Nutrition was assessed by a self-reported "red food log" tracking the number of unhealthy food items selected during the day for all the eight weeks. Overall wellness was assessed by the Wellness Assessment Questionnaire (University of North Dakota, n.d.). Statistical analysis utilized a paired- t test and Cohen's d for effect size. RESULTS: Within each dimension of wellness there was an average increase of 8% in Physical, 3% in Emotional, 3% in Social, 2% in Occupational, 4% in Spiritual, and both Environmental and Intellectual had the highest increase at 9% which calculated to be statistically significant (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Data supports the hypothesis that employees would improve their proficiency within the 8-dimensions of wellness as well as physical activity, although not statistically significant. Within a short 8-week intervention, employee had increase their overall wellness up to 9% in some dimensions. If the employees had access to a year-round program that continuously strived to improve their wellness, or if more employees had access to such a program, the overall wellness of an entire faculty/staff of a university may be better. Thus, future research and practice efforts should be focused on implementing and evaluating year-long WWPs for university employees. Healthier employees can directly and indirectly save the employing company. Examples include lower annual health costs, decreased absenteeism, and decreased employee turnover.

The Impact of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employees in Auniversity Setting

The Impact of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employees in Auniversity Setting PDF Author: Thomas Halloran
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee health promotion
Languages : en
Pages : 75

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Book Description
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 contained incentives for worksites to develop workplace wellness programs (WWP) and employee wellness programs (EWP) (Kaspin et al, 2013). These programs have shown positive outcomes to companies in various dimensions, each independently studied. Historically, studies have examined one dimension of wellness and typically within a corporate setting. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational wellness intervention on physical activity and overall well-being based on the 8 dimensions of wellness in university faculty and staff. The specific aims of this study include 1) Participants will gain the knowledge and understanding of the 8 dimensions of wellness and how to incorporate the 8 dimensions into their daily lives and 2) Participants will identify areas of improvement within the 8 dimensions of wellness to create a balanced, holistic approach to wellness. METHODS: Employees underwent an eight-week intervention called the Employee Wellness Institute (EWI). Employees met once a week for 90 minutes. Each session highlighted one or two of the eight dimensions of wellness. Participants (N = 12, 72.7% female; 81.8% white) were university faculty and staff. Demographics were collected by a self-reported survey during the first visit and anthropometric data was collected by a trained researcher during the first and last visits. Body weight and height were collected using TANITA digital scale and SECA stadiometer. Body mass index was measured by dividing weight (kg) by the participant's squared height (m). Participants measured physical activity via pedometer (New Lifestyle 1000) and self-reported activity minutes during the entire length of the Employee Wellness Institute. Nutrition was assessed by a self-reported "red food log" tracking the number of unhealthy food items selected during the day for all the eight weeks. Overall wellness was assessed by the Wellness Assessment Questionnaire (University of North Dakota, n.d.). Statistical analysis utilized a paired- t test and Cohen's d for effect size. RESULTS: Within each dimension of wellness there was an average increase of 8% in Physical, 3% in Emotional, 3% in Social, 2% in Occupational, 4% in Spiritual, and both Environmental and Intellectual had the highest increase at 9% which calculated to be statistically significant (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Data supports the hypothesis that employees would improve their proficiency within the 8-dimensions of wellness as well as physical activity, although not statistically significant. Within a short 8-week intervention, employee had increase their overall wellness up to 9% in some dimensions. If the employees had access to a year-round program that continuously strived to improve their wellness, or if more employees had access to such a program, the overall wellness of an entire faculty/staff of a university may be better. Thus, future research and practice efforts should be focused on implementing and evaluating year-long WWPs for university employees. Healthier employees can directly and indirectly save the employing company. Examples include lowerannual health costs, decreased absenteeism, and decreased employee turnover.

Workplace Wellness Programs Study

Workplace Wellness Programs Study PDF Author: Soeren Mattke
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833080738
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The report investigates the characteristics of workplace wellness programs, their prevalence and impact on employee health and medical cost, facilitators of their success, and the role of incentives in such programs. The authors employ four data collection and analysis streams: a literature review, a survey of employers, a longitudinal analysis of medical claims and wellness program data from a sample of employers, and five employer case studies.

Workplace Wellness Programs Study

Workplace Wellness Programs Study PDF Author: Soeren Mattke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The report investigates the characteristics of workplace wellness programs, their prevalence, their impact on employee health and medical cost, facilitators of their success, and the role of incentives in such programs. The authors employ four data collection and analysis streams: a review of the scientific and trade literature, a national survey of employers, a longitudinal analysis of medical claims and wellness program data from a sample of employers, and five case studies of existing wellness programs in a diverse set of employers to gauge the effectiveness of wellness programs and employees' and employers' experiences.

The Impact of Employee Wellness Programs

The Impact of Employee Wellness Programs PDF Author: Christie M. Cowsert
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee health promotion
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description


ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook

ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook PDF Author: American College of Sports Medicine
Publisher: Human Kinetics
ISBN: 149258374X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 731

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Book Description
Encouraging and maintaining a healthy workforce have become key components in the challege to reduce health care expenditures and health-related productivity losses. As companies more fully realize the impact of healthy workers on the financial health of their organization, health promotion professionals seek support to design and implement interventions that generate improvements in workers' health and business performance. The second edition of ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook: A Guide to Building Healthy and Productive Companies connects worksite health research and practice to offer health promotion professionals the information, ideas, and approaches to provide affordable, scalable, and sustainable solutions for the organizations they serve. Thoroughly updated with the latest research and expanded to better support the business case for worksite programs, the second edition of ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook includes the contributions of nearly 100 of the top researchers and practitioners in the field from Canada, Europe, and the United States. The book's mix of research, evidence, and practice makes it a definitive and comprehensive resource on worksite health promotion, productivity management, disease prevention, and chronic disease management. ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook, Second Edition, has the following features: -An overview of contextual issues, including a history of the field, the current state of the field, legal perspectives, and the role of health policy in worksite programs -A review of the effectiveness of strategies in worksite settings, including economic impact, best practices, and the health–productivity relationship -Information on assessment, measurement, and evaluation, including health and productivity assessment tools, the economic returns of health improvement programs, and appropriate use of claims-based analysis and planning -A thorough discussion of program design and implementation, including the application of behavior change theory, new ways of using data to engage participants, use of technology and social networks to improve effectiveness, and key features of best-practice programs -An examination of various strategies for encouraging employee involvement, such as incorporating online communities and e-health, providing incentives, using medical self-care programs, making changes to the built environment, and tying in wellness with health and safety The book includes a chapter that covers the implementation process step by step so that you can see how all of the components fit together in the creation of a complete program. You'll also find four in-depth case studies that offer innovative perspectives on implementing programs in a variety of work settings. Each case study includes a profile of the company, a description of the program and the program goals, information on the population being served, the results of the program, and a summary or discussion of the program. Throughout the book you'll find practical ideas, approaches, and solutions for implementation as well as examples of best practices and successful programs that will support your efforts in creating interventions that improve both workers' health and business performance. The book is endorsed by the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion, a new ACSM affiliate society. Deepen your understanding of the key issues and challenges within worksite health promotion and find the most current research and practice-based information and approaches inside ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook: A Guide to Building Healthy and Productive Companies, Second Edition. The e-book for ACSM's Worksite Health Handbook, Second Edition, is available at a reduced price. It allows you to highlight, take notes, and easily use all the material in the book in seconds. The e-book is delivered through Adobe Digital Editions® and when purchased through the Human Kinetics site, access to the content is immediately granted when your order is received. Adobe Digital Editions® System Requirements Windows -Microsoft® Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 4, Windows XP with Service Pack 2, or Windows Vista® (Home Basic 32-bit and Business 64-bit editions supported) -Intel® Pentium® 500MHz processor -128MB of RAM -800x600 monitor resolution Mac PowerPC -Mac OS X v10.4.10 or v10.5 -PowerPC® G4 or G5 500MHz processor -128MB of RAM Intel® -Mac OS X v10.4.10 or v10.5 -500MHz processor -128MB of RAM Supported browsers and Adobe Flash versions Windows -Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Mozilla Firefox 2 -Adobe Flash® Player 7, 8, or 9 (Windows Vista requires Flash 9.0.28 to address a known bug) Mac -Apple Safari 2.0.4, Mozilla Firefox 2 -Adobe Flash Player 8 or 9 Supported devices -Sony® Reader PRS-505 Language versions -English -French -German

Corporate Wellness Programs

Corporate Wellness Programs PDF Author: Ronald J. Burke
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1783471700
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
øCorporate Wellness Programs offers contributions from international experts, examining the planning, implementation and evaluation of wellness initiatives in organizations, and offering guidance on how to introduce these programs in to the workplace.

A Review of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Market

A Review of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Market PDF Author: Soeren Mattke
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833077196
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
This paper describes the current state of workplace wellness programs in the United States, including typical program components; assesses current uptake among U.S. employers; reviews the evidence for program impact; and evaluates the current use and the impact of incentives to promote employee engagement.

Cleveland State University (CSU) Employees' Perceptions of Wellness at the Workplace

Cleveland State University (CSU) Employees' Perceptions of Wellness at the Workplace PDF Author: Seander C. Garner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee health promotion
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess office workers' perceptions of workplace wellness programs (WWP). Significant: The significance of this study is to determine the relationship between workplace wellness and the influence it has on employees. Methods: An email was sent to 365 employees that participated in the Workplace Wellness Program at Cleveland State University (CSU). Flyers were posted on campus and participants were solicited by word-of-mouth. The fifteen (N=15) respondents were interviewed to assess their attitudes and perceptions regarding a workplace wellness program. Findings: Two-thirds (66%) of the participants interviewed described their overall health as good but needs improvement. Over half (60%) of the participants described wellness as being physically active or fit with three participants indicating that wellness is a holistic concept. Nearly all (87%) of the participants believe that employers should provide health and wellness programs. Over half (53%) of the respondents stated that they believe that a culture of wellness exists at CSU. Conclusions: The majority of the respondents believe that a workplace wellness program has an impact on the perceptions of employees at Cleveland State University.

Workplace Wellness that Works

Workplace Wellness that Works PDF Author: Laura Putnam
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119055725
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 357

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Book Description
A smarter framework for designing more effective workplace wellness programs Workplace Wellness That Works provides a fresh perspective on how to promote employee well-being in the workplace. In addressing the interconnectivity between wellness and organizational culture, this book shows you how to integrate wellness into your existing employee development strategy in more creative, humane, and effective ways. Based on the latest research and backed by real-world examples and case studies, this guide provides employers with the tools they need to start making a difference in their employees' health and happiness, and promoting an overall culture of well-being throughout the organization. You'll find concrete, actionable advice for tackling the massive obstacle of behavioral change, and learn how to design and implement an approach that can most benefit your organization. Promoting wellness is a good idea. Giving employees the inspiration and tools they need to make changes in their lifestyles is a great idea. But the billion-dollar question is: what do they want, what do they need, and how do we implement programs to help them without causing more harm than good? Workplace Wellness That Works shows you how to assess your organization's needs and craft a plan that actually benefits employees. Build an effective platform for well-being Empower employees to make better choices Design and deliver the strategy that your organization needs Drive quantifiable change through more creative implementation Today's worksite wellness industry represents a miasma of competing trends, making it nearly impossible to come away with tangible solutions for real-world implementation. Harnessing a broader learning and development framework, Workplace Wellness That Works skips the fads and shows you how to design a smarter strategy that truly makes a difference in employees' lives—and your company's bottom line.