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Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Johnson & Johnson has one. So does Chick Fil-A. Indeed, practically every company in America has an employee wellness program in place, but how many actually measure the program’s effectiveness? Fewer than one quarter, according to a recent study by Buck Consultants. According to the study, 77% of employers in the U.S. offer at least one program to keep employees healthy (think free gym memberships and incentives to stop smoking), but only 23% actually measure the outcomes of those programs.

That’s a mistake, say health-care consultants. “By knowing what types of programs work best, you’ll be able to see how to move the needle in terms of health-care premiums and other benefits of corporate wellness, like reduced absenteeism and increased productivity,” says David Atkinson, vice president of corporate wellness for Cooper Corporate Solutions, a firm which helps companies design programs to keep employees healthy. Make no mistake: There are real benefits to be had by setting up an employee wellness program, and appropriately rewarding employees for their participation. Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of yours, and rewarding employees appropriately for participating.

Tip 1: Design a Program
Companies that are looking to wellness programs to reduce insurance premiums and absenteeism need to design programs that can be more specifically tied to those goals, Atkinson says.

As an example, when Redstone Presbyterian Care, a health-care facility with more than 400 employees, was hit with a 44% increase in health-insurance premiums, it realized it needed to do something – fast. “We weren’t paying attention to what was going on around us,” says Jim Hodge, vice president of human resources. Specifically, employee obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure and other health risks were causing the company’s premiums to skyrocket.

Redstone initially responded with a variety of free fitness activities, like yoga and kickboxing classes, that employees could participate in. “We even offered ballroom dancing,” Hodge says.

Employees received points for completing every activity, and those points were redeemable for cash or merchandise, like fitness equipment. “What we learned was that people didn’t necessarily equate the fact that they were doing these programs for wellness,” Hodge says.

So Redstone adjusted its program; now, instead of simply participating in exercise classes, they also have to overcome several hurdles in order to participate in the company’s insurance program. Now, employees who want to be insured by Redstone must undergo a health-risk assessment, biometric screening and meet with a wellness coach three times annually. The result? “More of our employees are really paying attention to their wellness,” Hodge says. “Three employees have given up tobacco this year, and countless others have lost weight.”

The upshot? The company has saved more than $440,000 in insurance premiums, and has managed to hold annual insurance-premium increases to single digits. “We found that really educating people about their health works much better than simply throwing a bunch of programs at them,” Hodge adds.

Tip 2: Offer Incentives
Most employees won’t be eager to stop smoking or lose weight without a little nudge, say wellness experts. Indeed, 56% of companies in the U.S. offer incentives like gifts, merchandise, or reduced insurance costs, for participating in wellness programs. How to find the right incentives for your group?

That depends on how big of a change you’re asking employees to make, says Rich Allen, vice president of group benefits and risk analysis for Cooper Corporate Solutions. “If you’re looking at wellness as a fun thing for employees to do, small incentives such as logoed pedometers, yoga mats, T-shirts and athletic gear will do the trick,” Allen says. “If your objective is to change costs and risk factors for employees, you have to be much more aggressive in the incentives you offer.”

For example, companies covered by Cigna’s health plan can opt into a program that pays out bigger rewards, such as jewelry and electronics, for completing a series of health screenings or participating in a program to control their diabetes. Other companies reward employees for major lifestyle changes, such as a sustained drop in blood pressure, by reducing the amount they have to contribute to their health-care premiums. In a program Cooper created for NEI, a server company, employees who showed progress in health screenings would pay a discount on their health-care contributions. After participating in the program for four years, NEI had “almost completely eradicated high-risk blood pressure among its employees, and had a 50% reduction in employees with high-risk cholesterol,” Allen says. “That’s a pretty impressive result.”

Tip 3: Measure Results
Companies creating wellness programs to improve the work environment should be able to measure results by simply surveying the population. “Are employees having fun? Do they like what’s happening? Then good, you’re on the right track,” says Smytha Haley, a wellness consultant.

Those who want to track the effectiveness of the program on the bottom line should be prepared to wait about 18 months for a result, Haley says. For many firms, 18 months is the point at which workers’ bettering health begins to cancel out the cost of sponsoring and administering the corporate wellness program.

As a rule of thumb, the average cost to a business is about $3 to $5 per participating staff member per month. “Within three years of the launch you ought to be seeing meaningful savings,” Haley says.

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Chill Coolers & Lunch Bags

From packing an office lunch to going on an outdoor adventure, these “cool” products will serve recipients well.

Outdoor recreation is more popular than ever, according to Backpacker Magazine, with more than 60 million people going on a hike annually, for example. Cooler bags are a great giveaway or corporate incentive option to target the outdoor adventurer – but the category also has a wide variety of options for office workers, healthcare staff and more to use in their day-to-day.

cooler backpack

Campers, hikers and beachgoers alike can stay hydrated and comfortable on the go with this cooler backpack that doubles as a quick seat. Its durable steel frame holds up to 250 pounds.

backpack cooler

With a roomy 24-can capacity, double-zippered main compartment and sleek, modern design, this backpack cooler is ideal for wellness giveaways or outdoor retreats at tech firms.

Igloo puffer cooler

With the capability to fold down neatly from its 20-can capacity to a more travel-friendly size, this Igloo puffer cooler is a stylish, sustainable option for travel agencies or hospitality chains.

retro paper bag-inspired lunch totes

These retro paper bag-inspired lunch totes, made of durable kraft paper, are designed to help recipients brown-bag it in style. Perfect for summer camps or school districts.

insulated cooler bag

This insulated cooler bag has plenty of room for lunch, snacks and beverages to carry healthcare workers through a long shift.

YETI soft cooler

Built for the outdoors, this YETI soft cooler fits enough snacks and drinks for the whole crew. Well-suited for construction sites or employee incentive programs.

insulated tote

The thermal foil lining of this insulated tote is designed to keep contents hot or cold throughout the day. It’s a natural pick for workplace wellness initiatives that encourage packing lunch.

Survey Shows Value of Schools Spiritwear Programs

Findings indicate that K-12 institutions with inconsistent merch offerings see weaker fundraising and community engagement.

Schools with a consistent spiritwear program often see high attendance numbers at their events and stronger community engagement.

Data from the new 2026 School Spirit Gap Survey, conducted by Counselor Top 40 distributor Custom Ink (asi/173232), shows that 33% of schools’ community event organizers with recurring branded product offerings reported higher-than-expected turnout at their most recent event. Among those with no program at all, that number dropped to 14%.

cheerleaders

Among those surveyed, more than 60% of schools with a regular merch program strongly agree that spiritwear is key to community engagement and school pride. Meanwhile, 43% of organizers say their programs are inconsistent year-to-year, even though nearly half (48%) say merchandise is a primary fundraiser that’s often more effective than candy sales and coupon books.

The survey was completed by 447 K-12 PTA coordinators, booster club leads, athletic directors, teachers and administrators across the U.S., and shows that schools without consistent swag programs are leaving money and community pride on the table. Organizers should consider building a recurring spiritwear program – same process, same timeline, every year – as a useful lever for improving community outcomes.

Dynamic Banners & Flags

Whether at small businesses or large-scale events, these vibrant banners and flags are ideal for making client branding stand out in a crowd.

Convention centers across the U.S. host thousands of trade shows and conferences throughout the year for every industry under the sun. The largest shows draw hundreds of thousands of attendees – meaning equally as many opportunities for exhibitor branding to make an impression. A vibrant branded banner or flag is an ideal option for showcasing logos, images or other artwork to draw in visitors.

branded adjustable fabric backdrop

Go big or go home with this branded adjustable fabric backdrop, available in 8’ x 8’ or 8’ x 10’ sizes. Includes adjustable telescoping poles, a 9-ounce wrinkle-free polyester fabric banner and a carry bag. Ideal for sponsorships at events or photo shoots.

31.5” wide retractor kit

This 31.5” wide retractor kit has a double-footed lightweight aluminum base and a snap rail banner attachment for easy swaps. Printed on no-curl opaque fabric. Includes carry case and one-year hardware warranty. Think trade shows and fundraiser signage.

tabletop mini-retractable banner

Enhance any promotional display with this tabletop mini-retractable banner. Crafted from vinyl fabric, it measures 11.5” x 16.5” and takes decoration on one side of the panel. Well-suited for hostess stands, banks or retail stores. Hardware included.

double-sided knit polyester promotional flag

Perfect for the college and sports markets, this 3’ x 5’ double-sided knit polyester promotional flag showcases full-color logos, photographs and more. Finished with a canvas heading, they’re appropriate for indoor or outdoor use.

full branded display setup

Help clients prepare for their first trade show with a full branded display setup, including a 10’ x 10’ vinyl backdrop, retractable banner and poly poplin table cover. A must for any company tabling at an event.

lightweight banner

This lightweight banner excels in high-traffic areas thanks to its durable vinyl fabric. With a single-sided anti-curl design, it offers custom sizing and various color options. Select from hem-only, grommet or pole pocket finishing options. Great for school gymnasiums or event advertising.

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Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Chill Coolers & Lunch Bags

Survey Shows Value of Schools Spiritwear Programs

Dynamic Banners & Flags

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