The document summarizes the results of a survey conducted among business leaders in Pima County, Arizona regarding workplace wellness initiatives. It finds that most organizations give themselves a "B" grade for employee health and see obesity, stress, and lack of exercise as the top health concerns. It also finds that health insurance costs are the most important issue impacted by employee health. While organizations value wellness initiatives, cost and lack of participation are barriers. Most spend 5% or less of budget on wellness and want to see return on investment.
Workplace Wellness - States of Wellness 2012 Pima County, Arizona
1. Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health.
2. The Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota conducted this survey among
business leaders in Pima County through September 28, 2012.
It was held in conjunction with a national survey conducted by the Society
for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Public Opinion Strategies was
instrumental in the design of the survey questionnaire and analysis of the
data.
The Pima County project is a collaboration of Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Pima County Health Department, YMCA of Southern
Arizona, Greater Tucson SHRM, Tucson Hispanic Chamber, Tucson Metro
Chamber and Activate Tucson.
For the national survey, 406 HR professional respondents from a randomly
selected sample of SHRM’s membership participated.
For more findings, visit www.statesofwellness.com
SLIDE 2
3. Most organizations give themselves a “B” rating.
The larger the organization, the lower the rating.
“What grade would you give your organization’s employees in terms of being healthy?”
54%
42% 40%
38%
4% 8% 6%
4%
National Pima County
A B C D/F
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 3
4. Health insurance costs top the list of issues
impacted by employee health and behavior.
“Below are some issues that may be impacted by employee health behaviors and conditions.
Please rate the importance of these issues in terms of overall organization priorities. (1 = Not
Important At All To Your Organization; 10 = Extremely Important To Your Organization)”
Health Insurance Costs 51% 80%
Decreased Productivity 46% 73%
Absenteeism 47% 74%
Workers Compensation 38% 60% 10
or Disability Claims
8-10
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 4
5. Obesity, stress and a lack of exercise are seen as
the top health conditions facing employees.
“Which from the list do you consider to be the top three health conditions or areas that you feel
are the greatest concern to your employees?”
Obesity/Overweight 33% 63%
Stress & Other Mental Health 17% 51%
Issues
Lack of Exercise/Fitness 13% 59%
High Blood Pressure 7% 26%
Chronic Diseases 14% 28%
Tobacco Use 4% 10%
Poor Nutrition 1% 21%
Workplace Injuries 6% 13%
High Cholesterol 2% 16%
Cold & Flu Vaccinations 1% 7%
First Choice
Alcohol & Substance Abuse 1% 7% Top 3 Choices
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 5
6. Eight out of ten organizations spend 5% or less of
their budget on these initiatives.
“Approximately what percentage of your “How many years ago was your organization’s
organization’s operating budget would you say worksite wellness initiative first created?”
is spent on worksite wellness initiatives that are
separate from health insurance coverage?” NATIONAL SAMPLES
46%
44%
38%
17% 18%
15%
11% 10%
0-1% 2-5% 6+% 1 2 3 4 5+
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 6
7. Organizations place high value on whether or not
initiatives have any return on investment.
“How important is it to your organization to have a measureable ROI (return on
investment) one to three years from now in order to determine the value of worksite
wellness initiatives?”
PIMA COUNTY % Important NATIONALLY % Important
Very 30% Very 41%
Somewhat 32% Somewhat 43%
Not Very 13% Not Very 14%
Not At All 1% Not At All 1%
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 7
8. Organizations place high value on whether or not
initiatives have any return on investment.
“Does your organization track the return on investment (ROI)
of its worksite wellness initiatives? “
58%
Nationally Pima County
49%
42%
14%
Yes No Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 8
9. Nine out of ten organizations see the benefit of
having worksite wellness initiatives in place.
“In general, how beneficial would you say worksite wellness
initiatives are to organizations like yours?”
National Pima County
Very Beneficial 38% 35%
Somewhat Beneficial 49% 48%
Not Very Beneficial 12% 9%
Not Beneficial at All 1% 1%
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 9
10. There is widespread belief they help both the
employees and the company’s waistline.
“Below are a series of different viewpoints on worksite wellness initiatives. For each
one, please select if you AGREE or DISAGREE with a particular position.”
88%
80%
71%
67%
20% 22%
6% 8%
Help workers develop Increase worker Lower health care Reduce worker
healthier lifestyles productivity costs absenteeism
Total Agree Total Disagree
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 10
11. Some agree that wellness initiatives impact only a
limited number and might impact privacy.
“Below are a series of different viewpoints on worksite wellness initiatives. For each
one, please select if you AGREE or DISAGREE with a particular position.”
63% 65%
49%
41%
29% 28%
Only impact a limited number Make employees feel their Do little to improve overall
of workers privacy is being intruded upon worker health
Total Agree Total Disagree
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 11
12. Employers’ primary objective is to keep
employees healthy.
“To the best of your knowledge, what are your organization’s reasons for
offering a worksite wellness initiative?”
To improve the overall health of
employees 88%
To reduce employee health
care costs 83%
To improve employee productivity 60%
To improve employee morale 59%
To reduce employee absenteeism 58%
To reduce the costs associated
with disability claims
32%
To attract and recruit employees 31%
Was requested by employees 23%
To reduce employee turnover rates 19%
Were part of the existing health plan 22%
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 12
13. The cost of the initiatives is also a main concern.
“Regardless of whether you have a worksite wellness initiative at your
organization or not, what are some of the reasons why organizations like
yours often decide NOT to offer a worksite wellness initiative?”
Cost of the initiative 52%
Lack of employee interest/expected low
levels of participation 66%
Lack of time 50%
Management does not see the value of it 39%
Employees do not see the value of it 48%
Lacking expertise/staff 36%
Lack of information/resources about how to
develop and maintain an initiative
31%
Lack of facilities 34%
Unable to find someone who will
champion the initiative
33%
Organization is too small 29%
Would not reduce health insurance costs 19%
High employee turnover 10%
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 13
14. They are longitudinally capable of reducing
health care costs.
“Based on your experience, over the last year do you think that worksite wellness
initiatives were effective in reducing your organization’s health care costs?”
52%
48%
35%
24%
National Pima County
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 14
15. Almost seven out of ten organizations believe that
their larger investments in wellness initiatives help
keep health care costs low.
Effectiveness in Reducing Health Care Costs by % Operating Budget
NATIONAL SAMPLE
65%
58%
54%
46%
42%
35%
Worksite Wellness Initiative Worksite Wellness Initiative Worksite Wellness Initiative
0-1% of Operating Budget 2-5% of Operating Budget 6%+ of Operating Budget
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 15
16. Those that offer financial incentives have higher
return on investment.
Effectiveness in Reducing Health Care Costs by Financial Incentive &
Return On Investment
NATIONAL SAMPLE
66%
63%
60% 59%
40% 41%
37%
34%
Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness
Initiative Provides Initiative Does Not Provide Initiative Has Return on Initiative Has No Return on
Financial Incentive Financial Incentive Investment Investment
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 16
17. But they don’t seem to reduce overall
worker absenteeism.
“Based on your experience, do you think that worksite wellness initiatives are
effective in reducing worker absenteeism at your organization?”
NATIONAL SAMPLE
62% 63%
54% 53%
46% 47%
38% 37%
Overall Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness
Initiative 1-2 Years in Initiative 3-4 Years in Initiative 5+ Years in
Operation Operation Operation
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 17
18. Organizations that have recently added wellness
initiatives to their worksites don’t see the employee
absenteeism rates falling.
Effectiveness in Reducing Worker Absenteeism by % Operating Budget
63% NATIONAL SAMPLE
58%
49% 51%
42%
37%
Worksite Wellness Initiative Worksite Wellness Initiative Worksite Wellness Initiative
0-1% of Operating Budget 2-5% of Operating Budget 6%+ of Operating Budget
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 18
19. But they do see positive changes in productivity
in the workplace.
“Based on your experience, do you think that worksite wellness initiatives are
effective in improving worker productivity at your organization?”
NATIONAL SAMPLE 76%
61%
53% 56%
47% 44%
39%
24%
Overall Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness Worksite Wellness
Initiative 0-1% Initiative 2-5% Initiative 6%+
of Operating Budget of Operating Budget of Operating Budget
Yes No
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 19
20. There is high interest in launching initiatives at
new organizations and improving existing ones.
“How interested is your organization in developing
a worksite wellness initiative in the next one to three years?”
85%
61%
39%
Very Interested 29%
13%
Very Interested
15%
National Pima County
Total Interested Total Not Interested
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 20
21. There is high interest in launching initiatives at
new organizations and improving existing ones.
“How interested is your organization in expanding or improving your current worksite
wellness initiative in the next one to three years?”
85%
74%
41%
39% Very Interested
Very Interested
15% 13%
National Pima County
Total Interested Total Not Interested
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 21
22. Employees see them as beneficial to their health.
“How beneficial would your employees find a worksite wellness initiative if your
organization created one?”
90%
69%
15% 18%
15% Very Beneficial
Very Beneficial 10%
National Pima County
Total Beneficial Total Not Beneficial
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 22
23. If subsidies or financial incentives
existed, organizations would be more willing to
establish wellness programs.
“Please select if you AGREE or DISAGREE with the following statements. My organization
would be interested in creating or expanding a worksite wellness initiative if…”
83% 81%
75%
25%
17% 18%
Health plans offered premium We could demonstrate a financial The state and federal government
discounts or rebates for these return on investment for these provided tax incentives for these
initiatives. initiatives. initiatives.
Total Agree Total Disagree
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 23
24. But they also would invest in initiatives to fulfill their
employees’ needs.
“Please select if you AGREE or DISAGREE with the following statements. My organization
would be interested in creating or expanding a worksite wellness initiative if…”
74% 76%
64%
37%
26% 24%
It would help attract and retain My employees actively requested There was a community initiative
talented employees. such an initiative. that recognized employers with
healthy workplaces.
Total Agree Total Disagree
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 24
25. Business executives look at other businesses’
experience with initiatives.
“Which of the following would you consider to be TRUSTED and VALUED sources of information
about creating or expanding a worksite wellness initiative for your organization?”
Business peers or fellow human
resource managers 42%
Health care service providers 62%
Worksite wellness vendors
and consultants
45%
Health care insurers 42%
State and local health departments 43%
Non-profit health organizations 54%
Online resources 28%
Business organizations
and trade associations
25%
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 25
26. They are willing to learn more through
community networking.
“If there was a network in your community for business leaders to learn about issues related
to worksite wellness initiatives and to share information, how likely is it that someone from
your organization would join this network?”
81% NATIONAL SAMPLE
69%
65%
36% 35%
30%
Very
29% Likely 19%
Very 20%
Likely Very
Likely
Overall Organization With Worksite Organization Without Worksite
Wellness Initiative Wellness Initiative
Total Likely Total Unlikely
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 26
27. Organizations, overall, think there should be more
government involvement in wellness initiatives.
“In your professional opinion, which one of the following best describes how your organization views the
federal government's involvement in worksite wellness initiatives for companies like yours?”
48%
39% 40%
35%
20%
17%
Pima County National
Should Be More Active Should Be Less Active Should Not Really Change
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 27
28. Organizations, overall, think there should be more
government involvement in wellness initiatives.
“In your professional opinion, which one of the following best describes how your organization views the
state and local government's involvement in worksite wellness initiatives for companies like yours?”
56%
47%
38%
31%
15% 13%
National Pima County
Should Be More Active Should Be Less Active Should Not Really Change
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 28
29. …even more so among those organizations that
already have worksite wellness initiatives in place.
Government Involvement Among Organizations With Worksite
Wellness Initiatives
51%
43%
39%
36%
18%
13%
State & Local Government Involvement Federal Government Involvement
Should Be More Active Should Be Less Active Should Not Really Change
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 29
30. What do we now know?
The time is right for workplace wellness
Employers want it.
– 87 percent nationally see it as “beneficial.”
We know why.
– Insurance/productivity/absenteeism
We know what attracts them.
– Weight/stress/fitness
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 30
31. What do we now know?
The time is right for workplace wellness
We know what they’re nervous about.
– Cost/engagement/ROI
They want to work together.
– 74 percent nationally said they would join a community
network
They believe in government.
– Majorities value the role of federal, state & local
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 31
32. States of Workplace Wellness in America
2012 Pima County Survey
The Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota
800 Nicollet Mall
Suite 2690
Minneapolis, MN 55402
www.statesofwellness.com
www.healthiermn.com
THE STATES OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS IN AMERICA / Pima County www.statesofwellness.com SLIDE 32