Teleworkers' Wellness Efforts So-So, Survey Finds
And 45 percent of U.S. full-time workers don't participate in exercise or wellness programs at all, either through their workplaces or on their own, Flex+Strategy Group/Work+Life Fit Inc. found.
A full 45 percent of all full-time employees in the United States don't participate in exercise or other wellness-related activities through their workplace or on their own, according to a new survey of full-time employees sponsored by Flex+Strategy Group/Work+Life Fit Inc., a Madison, N.J., provider of workplace and individual wellness solutions. They found that 33 percent said they participate in a workplace wellness program, with those age 30 and older more likely to do so than younger colleagues, while 20 percent said they don't participate even though their company offers a wellness program and 25 percent said there is no wellness program at their workplace. While nearly 20 percent said they pursue wellness opportunities on their own, 24 percent of teleworkers indicated they pursue out-of-office wellness activities -- more than those who work in an office (17 percent) who said they do.
"Despite employers investing millions of dollars to promote employee health, almost half of the U.S. workplace does not budge," said Cali Williams Yost, the CEO of Flex+Strategy Group/Work+Life Fit Inc. "Teleworkers use their inherent sense of discipline, focus, and ability to not only get their work done, but also pursue a healthy lifestyle. It's a positive outcome of telework that employers should value."
The company also reported that lack of flexibility is not a barrier, but lack of training to help employees use and manage work/life flexibility does. Those who received such training are more likely (43 percent) to participate in corporate wellness programs than those who did not receive training (24 percent).