Survey: 73% Of Workers Consider Health And Wellness Offerings When Choosing A Job

Staff Report

Wednesday, January 16th, 2019

Workers are looking to their employers for some help in meeting their health and wellness goals, new research from staffing firm OfficeTeam suggests. Seventy-three percent of professionals surveyed said a company's health and wellness offerings influence their decision to work there. Employees place the greatest weight on wellness incentives that reward healthy behavior (26 percent) and fitness facilities or programs (23 percent). Fortunately, these are the resources most commonly offered by organizations (43 percent and 41 percent, respectively). Twenty percent of companies don't have any health and wellness options.

Workers were asked, "To what extent does a company's health and wellness offerings influence your decision to work there?" Their responses:

A great deal

37%

Somewhat

36%

Not at all

28%

 

  101%*

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

The health and wellness offerings valued most by workers, and what's offered at companies:

 

What Workers Value Most

What Companies Offer**

Wellness incentives (offering prizes for engaging in healthy behavior)

26%

43%

Access to fitness facilities or programs

23%

41%

Healthy food options

15%

34%

Ergonomic evaluations and equipment

14%

36%

Stress management resources

12%

32%

On-site vaccinations or health screenings

10%

32%

None of these

N/A

20%

**Multiple responses were permitted.

Additional findings:

Professionals ages 18 to 34 (87 percent) most often said health and wellness offerings impact their decision to work at an organization, compared to those ages 35 to 54 (70 percent) and 55 and older (44 percent). Seventy-nine percent of male employees reported the same, versus 65 percent of women.

Larger companies (500 or more employees) are more likely to have health and wellness programs than smaller ones (20-499 employees).

"Candidates today are taking a holistic view when weighing job offers, including looking at resources that impact their overall well-being," said Stephanie Naznitsky, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Companies that recognize employee health goes beyond standard benefits packages and offer robust wellness programs and perks are more likely to land and retain top talent."