Can Wellness Programs Decrease Turnover?
An employee wellness program can provide a myriad of health benefits for the workplace. Wellness programs can also be an effective employer tool to help reduce turnover, encouraging your workforce to remain with you for years.
Sounds great in theory, right? If you’re among the 53% of small organizations or 81% of the large currently offering wellness programs,1 you may have first-hand experience in putting this theory into practice. In fact, organizations with wellness initiatives saw a 25% decrease in employee turnover compared to those without these programs.2
Still, some employers remain skeptical of these programs and their effectiveness. For these employers, let’s explore how active wellness programs can improve recruitment and retention rates without burdening their budget.
Retaining with Wellness Programs
Wellness programs are designed to create a culture of health and fitness in the workplace. Examples of these proactive beneficial programs could include:
Each of these optional programs aim to proactively benefit both employees and the employer. This could lead to an overall more satisfied and healthier workplace, likely resulting in positive retention rates. Given that recruitment and retention is an evergreen topic at the top of many employer’s minds, programs like the ones above could be a solution to your retention needs.
For perspective, a recent report reveals the average voluntary turnover rate in the United States from 2023 to 2024 is 13.5%.3 Employers can keep this momentum going to their advantage by implementing wellness programs. In fact, another business group study shows that organizations with active, highly effective wellness programs report a lower voluntary turnover than organizations with low-performing wellness programs – 9% to 15%.4
Recruiting with Wellness Programs
Turnover isn’t inherently a bad thing for business. Sometimes an organization needs a refresh for new ideas and innovation to emerge. Yet, as turnover is typical for the workplace, employers can use these moments as opportunities to let their wellness programs promote their organizations as positive, inclusive spaces. In doing so, this can yield more candidates looking for workplaces willing to invest in their wellbeing.
Not sure how to tailor your programs for recruitment? Start by asking your employees what wellness initiatives they’d like to see implemented in the workplace. This can provide valuable insights into what matters to your employees, as well as what could matter for a potential new employee. As some employers look for skilled employees in new places, an effective wellness program could be the tipping point for recruiting top talent.
This blog is up to date as of October 2024 and has not been updated for changes in the law, administration or current events.
