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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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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.

Durable Sport Bottles

Meet demand from athletic travel teams, outdoor centers or summer camps with these practical and sturdy drinkware options.

Two hundred and fifty million Americans aged 6 and older participate in at least one sport or fitness activity, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, with team sports recording a particularly strong participation growth for 2025. Keep athletes hydrated on the court, the sidelines or in schools with a variety of sturdy reusable sport bottles branded with team names, corporate sponsors or other inspirational logos.

24-ounce sport bottle

Made from BPA-free Tritan, this practical 24-ounce sport bottle offers an easy-to-carry handled lid and easy-to-sip straw. Ideal for sporting goods brands or travel teams.

20-ounce aluminum bottle

Promote your client’s brand on the go with this 20-ounce aluminum bottle, featuring a matching screw-top cap and a silicone carrying strap for easy transport. Attach it to a bag or carabiner hook for convenience. Great for travel agencies or airlines.

28-ounce Tritan water bottle

Stay hydrated and active with this 28-ounce Tritan water bottle. It features a flip-up drinking spout and a screw-on lid with a carrying handle. BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher-safe, it fits most vehicle cup holders. Ideal for hiking or outdoor centers.

20-ounce flexi-grip bottle

Make a bright statement with a 20-ounce flexi-grip bottle. With easy squeeze action, a rigid cap and an easy-flow push-pull lid, it comes in various vibrant colors, perfect for elementary schools or summer camps.

20-ounce sport bottles

Great for kids’ sports tournaments or other outdoor event giveaways, these 20-ounce sport bottles feature a leak-resistant screw-top cap with an easy snap closure. Made in the USA.

slim Garyline sports bottle

This slim Garyline sports bottle makes hydration on the go a breeze, with a secure flip straw lid and molded carrying loop. Optional “motivation measurement” upgrade available to track daily water intake, an ideal selection for wellness giveaways.

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Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Survey Shows Value of Schools Spiritwear Programs

Dynamic Banners & Flags

Durable Sport Bottles

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