Involuntary wellness programs: the case of a large US company

Secchi, Davide, Bui, Hong T.M. and Gamroth, Katie (2015) Involuntary wellness programs: the case of a large US company. Evidence-Based Human Resource Management, 3 (1). (doi:10.1108/EBHRM-09-2013-0031).

Abstract

Purpose - This study investigates recent healthcare reform in the USA, which allows insurance companies to proactively intervene in improving the long-term health of employees, by providing wellness programs as part of their benefits package.

Design/methodolody/approach - We present and analyze data on how employees of a large US Midwest ‘media and education’ company (N=154) perceive economic incentives towards wellbeing. Data are collected using survey methods and analyzed with a logistic regression.

Findings - This study suggests that fairness, accessibility, intention to switch to a healthier lifestyle and desire to see more health-related initiatives affect the way employees seek to participate in the new involuntary wellness programs. By contrast, satisfaction, participation and income to not affect how these new programs are perceived.

Research limitations/implications - These findings suggest that HR managers should pay attention to employees who are not active in existing wellness programs, and provide support during the transition towards the new involuntary programs, to avoid potential frustration, de-motivation, disengagement and, ultimately, decreasing performance among employees.

Originality/value - The study is amongst the first to analyze involuntary wellness programs in the US, and it provides a basis on which to expand further studies. This research contributes to support the idea that employee wellness is unlikely to be enforced by rule or policy.

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