18 Workplace wellness incentives to energize your team
Healthier employees build stronger companies. Workplace wellness incentives create that connection by encouraging healthy behaviors and making well-being a natural part of your company culture. These programs give your team meaningful reasons to prioritize their health while showing them you value their overall well-being.
The business case for wellness is stronger than ever. A study by SHRM (2025) found that for every $1 invested in employee well-being, employers see an average return of $6 due to lower absenteeism and improved productivity.
What are wellness incentives?
Wellness incentives are rewards or recognition programs that encourage employees to take positive steps toward better health. They make healthy choices easier and more appealing, ranging from simple recognition to financial rewards that motivate participation in wellness activities.
The most effective programs offer variety so everyone finds something that matters to them. Some people respond to financial benefits, while others appreciate flexibility or experiences.
Types of incentives
Incentives fall into several categories, each with its own strengths:
- Financial rewards include premium reductions, health savings account contributions, cash bonuses or gift cards. These create immediate, tangible value that employees can see and use.
- Recognition-based incentives celebrate achievements through awards, public acknowledgment or special privileges. They tap into the human need for appreciation and belonging.
- Experiential rewards offer things like extra time off, flexible work arrangements or access to exclusive events and services. These create memories and improve quality of life in ways money alone cannot.
- Team-based incentives bring people together around shared goals, building camaraderie while improving health outcomes.
Incentives are the primary driver of program success; organizations that offer rewards report a 40% positive participation rate, compared to just 17% for those that don’t (RAND).
How they work
Effective workplace wellness incentives start with clear goals and simple participation paths. You set specific health-related objectives, like completing health assessments, attending preventive screenings or participating in fitness challenges. Employees earn rewards by meeting these goals.
The process should feel straightforward. People want to know exactly what they need to do and what they’ll receive. Timing matters too. Some incentives work best as immediate rewards for specific actions, while others build over time as employees maintain healthy habits.
18 ideas to get started
- Health assessment completion rewards
Offer incentives for completing comprehensive health risk assessments. This gives employees valuable insights into their health while providing data to shape your wellness programs.
- Preventive care bonuses
Reward employees for getting annual physicals, dental cleanings, vision exams and age-appropriate screenings. These visits catch potential health issues early, reducing long-term costs and keeping your team healthier.
- Fitness challenge prizes
Create monthly or quarterly fitness challenges with prizes for participation and achievement. Walking competitions, step challenges or workout streaks give people fun ways to stay active while connecting with colleagues.
- Healthy eating programs
Support better nutrition through incentives for attending cooking classes, meeting with nutritionists or participating in meal planning workshops. Partner with local farmers markets or healthy meal delivery services to make nutritious eating more accessible.
- Smoking cessation support
Offer substantial incentives for employees who complete smoking cessation programs, including covering program costs and providing bonuses for reaching smoke-free milestones.
Another study by SHRM found that the ROI for targeted health interventions is massive. For every $1 spent on chronic disease management and related lifestyle changes (like quitting smoking), employers save an average of $3.78 in healthcare costs.
- Mental health engagement rewards
Encourage employees to use mental health resources by offering incentives for attending stress management workshops, downloading meditation apps or scheduling sessions with counselors. Mental well-being is just as important as physical health.
Research by Deloitte shows that the impact of mental health support is profound; initiatives in this area can yield a return of up to 800% due to higher productivity and lower staff turnover.
- Sleep improvement programs
Better sleep leads to better everything else. Reward employees for participating in sleep education programs or using sleep tracking apps to improve their rest habits.
- Gym membership subsidies
Help cover the cost of gym memberships, fitness studios or home workout equipment. Removing financial barriers to exercise encourages more people to take that first step toward regular physical activity.
- Wellness app participation
Many apps now track various aspects of health and wellness. Offer incentives for consistent use of approved wellness apps that help employees monitor nutrition, fitness, mindfulness or chronic condition management.
- Team wellness competitions
Build team spirit while improving health through group challenges. Departments or teams compete in wellness activities, with rewards for the winning group. This approach uses friendly competition to boost participation.
Beyond physical health, group challenges foster “Social Well-being.” Research by McCrindle Research found that employees with access to wellness programs are twice as likely to feel grateful and 40% less likely to feel stressed at work.
- Volunteer time off
Connect wellness to purpose by offering paid time off for volunteering. Helping others improves mental health and life satisfaction, creating benefits for employees and the community.
- Health coaching sessions
Provide incentives for working with health coaches who can create personalized wellness plans. One-on-one guidance helps people navigate their specific health challenges and goals.
- Biometric screening rewards
Offer incentives for completing biometric screenings that measure things like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Knowing these numbers empowers people to take action on their health.
- Wellness education attendance
Reward employees for attending lunch-and-learn sessions, webinars or workshops on health topics. Learning about wellness is the first step toward living it.
- Family participation bonuses
Extend wellness incentives to include family members. When entire households engage in healthy behaviors, everyone benefits and employees receive stronger support at home.
- Ergonomic workspace upgrades
Offer incentives for employees to improve their workspace ergonomics. Standing desks, ergonomic chairs or proper lighting reduce physical strain and boost productivity.
- Hydration challenges
Drinking enough water significantly impacts health. Create fun challenges around proper hydration with small daily or weekly rewards.
- Wellness point systems
Implement a comprehensive points system where employees earn points for various healthy activities throughout the year. They can then redeem accumulated points for rewards of their choice, giving them flexibility and control over their incentives.
Making workplace wellness incentives work for your organization
The best wellness programs meet people where they are. Start with a few targeted workplace wellness incentives that address your team’s most pressing health needs. As participation grows, you can expand offerings based on what resonates most with your employees.
Success comes from consistent communication, easy participation and rewards that people actually value. Listen to feedback, track what works and adjust as needed. Your wellness program should evolve alongside your team.
Ready to build a healthier workplace? Contact us to learn how Optum Workplace Well-Being can help you design incentive programs that truly make a difference for your team.
Sources:
