Holistic Workplace Wellness

CMA announced that it is beginning a pilot program for state-based health-contingent wellness programs. With the influx of new participants in this pilot program, employers in those states will likely feel pressure to offer wellness programs as a benefit.

A survey revealed that 77% of employers believe that offering “innovative” health benefits to employees is a key factor in competing for workers in a tight job market.

The CDC revealed that possible vaping-related respiratory illnesses have more than doubled, rising to 450 possible cases in 33 states. Five suspected vaping-related deaths have also been reported. Employers should consider the rise in e-cigarettes when thinking about smoking cessation and employee wellness.

A recent Optum study reveals that more than twice as many employers are looking to increase their investments in employee health and wellness. This suggests that wellness programs are quickly becoming a differentiator in a competitive employment market.

In partnership with legendary guitar maker Fender, Zappos now offers employees an exciting new wellness benefit. Called Strum for the Sole, the program gives more than 1,500 employees access to an onsite “jam room” at its Las Vegas facility.

For the second year in a row, fewer large employers are offering HDHPs as the only option for employees, expected to be down to 25% in 2020 from 39% in 2018.

To address the growing problem of illegal drug use, the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force recently drafted a recommendation that all adults in the country should be screened for drugs, regardless of their risk factors.

Corporate wellness programs are growing around the world, and the forecast is for that trend to continue. A study predicts that the global market for corporate wellness services will grow 9% annually between 2018 and 2026 to $61.7 billion.

At 92 million strong, millennials are the largest generation ever in the United States. This means their opinions and concerns about the workplace get mindshare with alert employers.