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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Resources for Worksites
Contact the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention
Employee Wellness Programs
An employee wellness program is an evidence-based health initiative that supports healthy behaviors in the workplace and improves health outcomes for employees. Effective wellness programs address health behaviors using activities, policies, and the built environment.
Wellness programs use a variety of activities to engage employees in healthful behavior such as onsite fitness sessions and health screenings. Wellness policies aim to increase the sustainability and effectiveness of wellness efforts by creating systematic change. Policies such as Tobacco-free Workplace policies and Healthy Workplace Food and Beverage guidelines are considered best practices for worksite wellness programs in America.
The built environment passively impacts employees’ health and is an essential asset in supporting healthy behaviors. Initiatives such as promoting alternative transportation methods such as riding bikes to work may encourage employees to use their surrounding environment to obtain optimal health.
- Why Worksites?
- What are the Benefits of Worksite Wellness Programs?
In 2010, adults with one or more chronic medical conditions were responsible for 86% of all healthcare spending. Being that most American adults spend about 36% of their total waking hours at work, worksites are desirable target areas for promoting healthy behaviors. Worksite wellness programs offer an opportunity to provide working adults with the resources and education needed to improve their overall health outcomes.
The benefits of worksite wellness programs are not exclusively beneficial for employees, but employers and organizations are positively impacted as well.
For employees:
- Increased physical activity
- Improved self-esteem
- Lower stress levels
- Improved overall health outcomes
For employers:
- Increased productivity
- Decreased absenteeism
- Improved employee morale
For organizations:
- Lower healthcare costs
- Decreased occurrences of injury and disability
- Lower employee turnover rate
Resources for Worksite Wellness Programs
General Toolkits
Policies
Health Promotion
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaborate with Worksite Wellness Staff
- Harvard Business Review Worksite Wellness Return on Investment
Working with Employees with Disabilities
Connect with DOH