One of the main challenges when implementing a workplace wellness program is tracking engagement. Still, without it, we cannot understand the program’s effectiveness, and risk investing in initiatives that fail to meet employee needs or deliver measurable benefits. We can learn from leading companies that have developed effective methods to assess their impact.
These organizations use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to gain valuable insights, ensuring their wellness programs positively impact employee well-being, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
By leveraging data-driven strategies, businesses can refine their wellness initiatives, maximize participation, and demonstrate ROI. Below, we explore five proven approaches top companies use to measure and enhance their workplace wellness programs.
1. Pulse Surveys
Pulse surveys are brief, regular questionnaires — conducted monthly or quarterly—that monitor specific aspects of employee’s experiences over time. For workplace wellness programs, these surveys might include 5-10 questions about employee’s feelings at work, their perceptions of the wellness program, and suggestions for improvement.
Combining open and closed questions can yield both qualitative and quantitative feedback, providing valuable insights into the program’s effectiveness. This feedback allows for timely adjustments to enhance the program’s impact. It’s advisable to survey as frequently as you can and act on the results.
Regular pulse surveys demonstrate a company’s commitment to employee well-being and can lead to increased engagement and satisfaction. According to a 2023 Workplace Wellness Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 74% of American workers are moderately or highly concerned about their workplace well-being, highlighting the importance of regular check-ins to address these concerns.
2. Interviews
For a deeper understanding of program impact, conducting interviews and one-on-one meetings with employers and employees is beneficial. These discussions can uncover detailed insights into employee’s feelings about specific program aspects, their personal health goals, and overall experiences. While more time-consuming than surveys, interviews allow for the exploration of specific issues and provide a platform for employees to voice concerns and suggestions, leading to more tailored program improvements.
Interviews can fill in pulse survey gaps. For instance, if a pulse survey indicates a decline in mental health among employees, conducting follow-up interviews can help identify underlying causes and inform targeted interventions. For example, a 2024 survey by Milliman found that more employees are being offered mental health benefits, supporting the growing recognition of mental health’s importance in the workplace.
The organization can leverage those findings to carry on individual interviews where they are most needed.
3. Employee Net Promoter Score
Originally used to measure customer satisfaction, the Net Promoter Score can be adapted to assess employee engagement with wellness programs. By asking employees how likely they are to recommend the wellness program to a friend or colleague, companies can gauge perceived effectiveness. Responses are typically on a scale of 0 to 10, with scores categorized as follows:
0-6: Detractors
7-8: Passives
9-10: Promoters
Monitoring the eNPS over time helps assess engagement levels and program impact, guiding necessary adjustments. An eNPS ranging from 10 to 30 is generally considered good, while a score above 50 is excellent.
4. Employee Absenteeism Rate
One of the results of a healthier workforce is reduced absenteeism. According to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, promoting a healthier workforce can improve productivity and workplace morale, leading to reduced absenteeism and turnover.
To measure program effectiveness, organizations can track absenteeism rates before and after program implementation. A survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that among employers offering and measuring wellness efforts, more than half saw a decrease in absenteeism. If expected results aren’t achieved, pulse surveys and interviews can help identify underlying issues.
If absenteeism rates remain high despite wellness initiatives, further investigation may reveal factors such as workplace stress or lack of program engagement, allowing for targeted improvements.
An International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans survey found that out of all employers that offer and measure wellness efforts, more than half saw a decrease in absenteeism. If you’re finding that your wellness programs are not giving you the results expected, you can use pulse surveys and interviews to find out why.
5. Health Insurance Costs
Investing in employee wellness can lead to significant savings in healthcare costs. A 2024 study by Wellhub revealed that 95% of companies measuring the ROI of corporate wellness programs see positive returns, with nearly two-thirds reporting at least $2 for every $1 spent. Lower healthcare costs result from declining chronic disease rates, improved mental health, and reduced emergency room visits.
Organizations can monitor health insurance costs over time, tracking in-patient and out-patient expenses, prescription drug use, and the frequency of healthcare services utilization to assess the wellness program’s impact. Identifying trends within these metrics allows companies to refine their wellness initiatives to better support employees’ health while optimizing financial savings.
Track Employee Engagement Effectively With CoreHealth
Measuring employee engagement in wellness programs requires a multi-faceted approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative tracking methods. Pulse surveys, interviews, Employee Net Promoter Scores (eNPS), absenteeism tracking, and health insurance cost analysis all play a vital role in assessing program impact and guiding improvements. However, without the right tools, tracking these metrics can be time consuming and inefficient.
CoreHealth offers a comprehensive wellness technology platform that simplifies tracking employee engagement and program effectiveness. With CoreHealth’s data-driven analytics, HR teams can seamlessly collect and analyze engagement metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions to enhance wellness initiatives. CoreHealth’s solutions include real-time survey tools, employee health assessments, and automated reporting features, ensuring that organizations gain actionable insights with ease.
Leverage CoreHealth’s robust wellness tracking capabilities, to optimize their programs, improve employee well-being, and achieve measurable business outcomes. Investing in the right technology helps organizations create a healthier, more engaged workforce while maximizing ROI. If you’re ready to take your workplace wellness strategy to the next level, explore CoreHealth’s innovative solutions today.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you implement effective wellness programs using cutting-edge technology to grow your business, contact us now!
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Related articles from the CoreHealth blog:
- 5 Essential Features for Your Corporate Wellness Portal
- Leveraging AI to Tailor Employee Wellness
- Measuring Wellness ROI: How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Your Corporate Wellness Program
About CoreHealth Technologies
CoreHealth Technologies Inc. is a total well-being technology company trusted by global providers to power their health and wellness programs. Our wellness portals help maximize health, engagement and productivity for 3+ million employees worldwide. We believe people are the driving force of organizations and supporting them to make behavior changes to improve employee health is in everyone’s best interest. With the most flexibility, customizations and integrations of any software in its class, CoreHealth’s all-in-one wellness platform helps grow great wellness companies. Simple to sophisticated, based on you. For more information, visit the CoreHealth website or YouTube Channel.
