Companies can benefit greatly from adopting and maintaining employee wellness programs. Employee wellness programs can include things like health risk assessments, onsite health screening, health coaching, alcohol and drug counseling, mental health assistance, safety in the workplace, preventing violence in the workplace and diversity education. The tangible benefits of employee wellness program which directly result in economic savings can best be seen in these four areas:

1. Reduction in demand for medical services. Businesses that incorporate an employee wellness programs enjoy significant savings on medical expenses and other related costs.

2. Reduction in employee absenteeism. Simply put healthy employees miss less work. This is another factor that makes employee wellness programs a very cost effective maneuver.

3. Reduction in on-the-job injuries and worker's compensation costs. Employee wellness programs that educate employees about workplace safety have fewer injuries on the job thereby lower worker's compensation costs.

4. Reduction in Disability Costs. Healthy employees are less likely to require disability care. With employee wellness programs educating employees on health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues and work related injuries, awareness leads to prevention.

While these four benefits are certainly persuasive in the argument for implementing employee wellness programs, there are other intangible benefits as well. Increased productivity is one area that can be easily overlooked. Studies consistently show that employees who engage in a wellness programs are more productive. Additionally, employees wellness programs help attract, recruit and retain the more productive and effective employees.

Morale is boosted with employee wellness programs and employees feel more valued. They are also given a sense of ownership and are encouraged to take control of their health. This makes the employee feel empowered. This adds to the increased productivity, but, more so, the positive attitudes and positive atmosphere that is created contributes to an overall better health.

When companies implement employee wellness programs they take a proactive approach to employee health, it is a win-win situation. The company wins with reduced tangible costs in the areas of healthcare, disability, absenteeism, worker's compensation and disability management, but the employee wins by learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle and how to be safe on the job. Employees have a better attitude toward their employer and they feel like a valued and important member of the corporate team. Therefore, while companies may enjoy lower costs and greater financial savings, they will also retain the better employees and cut down on money that is lost in training due to high turnover rates. Good employee wellness programs can be an asset to a company and worth every penny that is spent on it.