Two workplace trends that have been on the rise in recent years are the introduction of a workplace wellness program and the ability for employees to use flexible work arrangements (such as telecommuting). SHRM reported that, based on its Strategic Benefits survey, employees seem to be much more willing to take advantage of the former.
About 3/4 of employers offered their employees activities designed to increase their overall health in 2014 (up slightly from 70{d044ab8acbff62f209a116f8142e303cb886f535b0fcf58cb82cde7cb327d3c9} in 2012). And about 1/2 of those same companies offered some type of flexible option for working. Of the respondents surveyed, 53 percent indicated their employees’ participation in wellness programs increased in 2014. However, only 31 reported an increase in employees taking advantage of flexible work arrangements.
In addition to increased participation in wellness programs, almost 3/4 of organizations with wellness programs claimed that these measures were significantly effective in reducing their health care costs in 2014. Even more indicated these programs were effective in improving the health of their employees.
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