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Corporate wellness

Why Corporate Wellness Works:
Evidence & Insights

1. Improved Productivity

  • In a landmark study of 111 workers across five laundry plants, workers who participated in a wellness program and improved their health showed productivity gains of about 10%.
  • In the same study, even employees who were already healthy but participated in the program increased their output — suggesting wellness programs can drive performance across the board.
  • One industry summary reports that employees who improved their lifestyle via a wellness program gained about 10.3 additional productive hours per year compared to non-participants.

2. Reduced Absenteeism, Pre-senteeism & Health Risks

  • A 3-year longitudinal study with nearly 5,800 employees from 314 businesses found that worksite wellness programs were associated with positive changes in absenteeism, presenteeism (working while unwell), and health risk factors.
  • A meta-analysis of multicomponent workplace wellness programmes showed measurable improvements in dietary habits, anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference), and cardiometabolic risk factors.

3. Return on Investment (ROI) & Cost Savings

  • Reviews suggest well-designed wellness programmes may deliver ROI in the range of $2 to $6 for every $1 invested, largely through productivity improvements and reduced health/insurance costs.
  • A 2024 study by Wellhub (formerly Gympass) found that 95% of companies measuring ROI reported positive returns, and nearly two-thirds reported at least $2 returned for every $1 spent.
  • Industry reports estimate reductions in sick leave by 25% or more and healthcare/benefit cost reductions of up to 20–40% when programs are well executed.

4. Holistic Health & Well-Being

  • A feasibility study of mindfulness plus a Mediterranean lifestyle (diet, exercise) in the workplace found that higher mindfulness and healthier lifestyle behaviours were associated with greater resilience and better work ability.
  • The research emphasises that wellness programs shouldn’t just focus on physical health, but also incorporate mental health, lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, movement) and resilience to truly impact performance and well-being.

What This Means for Your Company

By partnering with Harris Physical Therapy & Wellness to design a customized corporate wellness program (on-site and virtual), your organization in the Raleigh–Durham area can:

  • Improve employee engagement, focus and overall productivity through targeted movement, ergonomics and wellness interventions.
  • Reduce absenteeism, presenteeism and injury risk — meaning fewer sick days and smoother operations.
  • Lower healthcare and benefit-related costs over time, while improving employee morale and retention.
  • Position your company as a proactive, high-care employer — which supports talent acquisition and employer branding.

Enhance Employee Health

Improve workplace wellness with our tailored corporate programs. Harris Physical Therapy & Wellness offers on-site and virtual sessions to boost employee health and productivity. Our expert team designs customized plans to address specific needs, promoting a healthier workforce. Prioritize your employees’ well-being and see the positive impact on your business. Contact us today to get started!

 

Research & References

1.Baicker, K., Cutler, D., & Song, Z. (2010).
Workplace Wellness Programs Can Generate Savings.
Health Affairs, 29(2), 304–311.
https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0626
→ Found that every $1 spent on wellness saved employers $3.27 in medical costs and $2.73 in absenteeism costs.

2.Goetzel, R.Z., Pei, X., Tabrizi, M.J., Henke, R.M., Kowlessar, N., Nelson, C.F., & Metz, R.D. (2014).
Ten Modifiable Health Risk Factors Are Linked to More Than One-Fifth of Employer-Employee Health Care Spending.
Health Affairs, 33(1), 124–131.
https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0626
→ Demonstrated strong links between workplace wellness participation, reduced health risks, and productivity improvements.

3.Parks, K.M., & Steelman, L.A. (2008).
Organizational Wellness Programs: A Meta-Analysis.
Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(1), 58–68.
https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.13.1.58
→ Reported average ROI of $3.27 per dollar spent on wellness programs and significant reductions in absenteeism and stress-related claims.

4.Goetzel, R.Z., et al. (2014).
Doing Well by Making Well: The Impact of Corporate Wellness Programs on Productivity.
Washington University in St. Louis / National Bureau of Economic Research.
https://profiles.wustl.edu/en/publications/doing-well-by-making-well-the-impact-of-corporate-wellness-progra→ Found that wellness programs increased worker productivity by about 10% in a large-scale field study.

5.Wellhub (formerly Gympass). (2024).
Corporate Wellness ROI Report.
https://wellhub.com/en-us/blog/press-releases/study-reveals-strong-return-on-investment-for-corporate-wellness-programs/→ Found 95% of companies measuring ROI reported positive returns; 64% saw at least $2 returned per $1 invested.

6.Cancelliere, C., Cassidy, J.D., Ammendolia, C., & Côté, P. (2011).
Are Workplace Health Promotion Programs Effective at Improving Presenteeism in Workers? A Systematic Review and Best Evidence Synthesis of the Literature.
BMC Public Health, 11(1), 395.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-395
→ Found that comprehensive wellness programs improve productivity by reducing presenteeism and health risk behaviors.

7.Zula, K., & Yarrish, K. (2013).
A Review of the Impact of Employee Wellness Programs on Workplace Productivity.
International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 6(2), 129–142.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-08-2012-0012
→ Reviews multiple studies showing workplace wellness is directly tied to improved job satisfaction and retention.

8.Sorensen, G. et al. (2018).
Integrating Worksite Health Protection and Health Promotion: A Conceptual Model for Intervention and Research.
Preventive Medicine, 112, 83–90.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.04.010
→ Emphasizes that the most effective wellness programs integrate ergonomic, mental health, and physical activity components.

9.Burton, W.N., Chen, C.Y., Conti, D.J., Schultz, A.B., & Edington, D.W. (2006).
The Association Between Health Risk Change and Presenteeism Change.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 48(3), 252–263.
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000201563.18108.af
→ Demonstrated that reducing health risks via wellness initiatives correlates with substantial productivity gains.

10Collelldemont, E., García-Peñalvo, F.J., & Jové-Llopis, E. (2023).
Mindfulness and Mediterranean Lifestyle in the Workplace: A Feasibility Study.
Healthcare, 13(1), 9.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13010009→ Found mindfulness and lifestyle-based workplace wellness programs improved resilience and work ability.

11.Coulson, J.C., McKenna, J., & Field, M. (2008).
Exercise is Positively Associated with Wellbeing at Work.
Journal of Workplace Health Management, 1(3), 176–197.
https://doi.org/10.1108/17538350810893983
→ Reinforces that physical activity interventions improve employee morale and reduce workplace stress.