Research shows that employee wellness programs don't help  absenteeism or healthcare costs.

Knowledge at Wharton

Episode Description

The Wharton School Professor Iwan Barankay discusses the existing literature on employee wellness programs, highlighting their limited proven efficacy.

EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton Professor Iwan Barankay explores the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs, highlighting findings from randomized controlled trials. He discusses how programs like fitness incentives have not shown to increase productivity nor reduce healthcare costs. He explains that further research is needed to look into the efficacy of mental health wellness offerings, given employees' high levels of stress.

PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney.

Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect.

#WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #WellnessPrograms #Productivity ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal.

Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to:

- Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox

Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU

Brief Summary

Company wellness programs show mixed results on effectiveness, especially post-COVID-19, highlighting a need for better mental health support.

Key points

  • The Effectiveness of Wellness Programs. Despite increased investment, evidence shows these programs may not improve productivity or health.
  • Shifting Focus to Mental Health. Post-COVID, companies are prioritizing mental health and holistic employee support.

Ask about Knowledge at Wharton

Related episodes