In today’s rapid and competitive business world, companies are recognizing the value of investing in their employee’s wellbeing. Companies are acknowledging the importance of prioritizing employee wellness, not only for the sake of their workforce but also for boosting productivity and overall company performance. The role of corporate wellness programs in promoting a healthy and productive work environment is widely established. However, just implementing it will not bring any change. It is essential for employees to be engaged well in the program activities to ensure its success.

One effective way to achieve employee engagement in corporate wellness programs is by offering rewards and incentives. In this article, we will delve into some of the most effective rewards and incentives used in employee wellness programs and highlight some exciting statistics that can motivate employers to offer incentives and employees to prioritize their health and wellbeing.

Here are some popular and common rewards and incentives for workplace wellness via employee wellness programs.

1. Financial Incentives: Financial rewards can be highly motivating for employees. Workplace wellness programs often offer incentives such as cash bonuses, health insurance premium discounts, contributions to health savings accounts, merchandise, gym memberships, reimbursements, and more. These financial incentives encourage employees to participate in wellness activities and provide a tangible benefit that positively impacts their overall financial wellbeing.
2. Wellness Challenges and Competitions: Engaging employees in wellness challenges and competitions effectively fosters a sense of community and healthy competition. Organizations can offer rewards such as gift cards, paid time off, or even a wellness-themed vacation for employees who achieve specific wellness goals or demonstrate outstanding commitment to their wellbeing journey.
3. On-Site Amenities: Providing on-site amenities is another popular strategy to encourage employee wellness. These can include an on-site gym, fitness classes, yoga sessions, or wellness rooms for relaxation and mindfulness. By offering convenient access to these facilities, workers are more likely to prioritize their health and wellbeing, boosting employee engagement and productivity.
4. Flexible Work Arrangements: Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, some corporate wellness programs reward employees with flexible work arrangements. This could involve options like telecommuting, compressed workweeks, or flexible scheduling. Organizations demonstrate their commitment to employee wellness and support their overall wellbeing by granting employees greater control over their work-life integration.
5. Recognition and Rewards Program: Implementing a recognition and rewards program specifically tailored to employee wellness achievements can be highly effective. This could include regular acknowledgments of employee milestones, wellness badges or certificates, and even public recognition within the organization. Recognizing and celebrating employees’ efforts not only motivates individuals but also creates a positive culture of wellness throughout the company.

Latest Employee Rewards Statistics

Here are some latest employee rewards statistics put together from different sources.

General Statistics:

• Research Gate’s 2021 study reveals that 54% of employees believe that their current incentives effectively fulfill the needs of both themselves and their families.
• According to a survey conducted by SurveyMonkey in 2021 with a sample size of 1,500 individuals, 63% of those who consistently received recognition expressed an “extremely unlikely” intention to search for new employment within the next 3-6 months. In contrast, only 11% of individuals who rarely or never received recognition agreed with this sentiment.
• The primary channels for receiving positive feedback, as identified by SurveyMonkey’s 2021 research, include one-on-one meetings with managers (38%), team meetings (25%), annual evaluations (16%), and public messaging platforms (11%).
• In a survey conducted by SurveyMonkey in 2021, 82% of employees consider recognition to be a critical factor for their job satisfaction.
• Gallup’s research in 2022 reveals that a significant 81% of executives openly acknowledge that their organizations do not give priority to recognition programs.
• Nearly two-thirds of leaders, as reported by Gallup in 2022, indicate that their companies do not allocate budgets specifically for rewards programs.
• Gallup’s 2022 study shows that 73% of senior managers state that their companies do not provide best practices training to their managers or leaders regarding employee recognition.
• The establishment of a recognition-driven culture within a 10,000-employee organization has the potential to save up to $16.1 million annually in turnover costs, according to Gallup’s research in 2022.
• Gallup’s 2022 research indicates that a mere 23% of employees feel adequately recognized for their contributions in the workplace.
• Only one-third of employees, as reported by Gallup in 2022, hold the belief that the rewards they receive are truly authentic.
• Significant three-quarters of employees, according to Gallup’s 2022 study, believe that not everyone within their organization is recognized fairly.
• Surprisingly, only 10% of workers are actually asked about their preferences concerning recognition and rewards, as highlighted by Gallup’s findings in 2022.
• While 67% of leaders and 61% of managers claim to provide recognition multiple times a week or more, a meager 21% of workers agree with this statement, as discovered by Gallup’s research in 2022.
• Gallup study in 2022 reveals that 40% of employees state that they are acknowledged only a few times a year or even less.
• When it comes to recognition levels within their organization, only 22% of project managers and 20% of people managers feel that they receive recognition on par with other team members, as per Gallup’s 2022 findings.
• Interestingly, people managers tend to offer three times more recognition than they receive, as discovered by Gallup in 2022.

Statistics Based on Types of Employee Recognition & Rewards:

• According to a SurveyMonkey study conducted in 2021, the belief that public recognition impacts the likelihood of receiving a raise or promotion is held by 68% of respondents.
• 32% of individuals surveyed by SurveyMonkey in 2021 believe that public recognition positively influences the level of engagement they receive from their coworkers.
• Gallup’s research in 2022 indicates that 64% of employees express a preference for a combination of public and private recognition.
• A 2021 study reveals that 42% of workers desire time off as a reward, but only 15% actually receive it.
• Among employees, 41% favor prepaid or gift cards as their preferred reward option, but the actual percentage of recipients is only 15%.
• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of individuals have developed a preference for digital prepaid and gift cards.

Statistics Based on Employee Generations and Rewards:

• Gallup’s 2022 research reveals that younger workers display a stronger inclination towards desiring frequent recognition. In fact, a significant 78% of Millennials and 68% of older Millennials express a preference for being acknowledged at least a few times a month, in contrast to only 45% of Baby boomers.
• Approximately four out of ten younger workers indicate a preference for receiving recognition from their manager several times a week or more, as reported by Gallup in 2022.
• According to Gallup’s 2022 findings, 10% of Baby boomers assert that they never desire recognition, whereas a mere 2% of Millennials share the same sentiment.

Statistics based on Performance:

• Workers who perceive that their incentives adequately meet their needs are seven times more inclined to be actively engaged in their work compared to those who don’t hold this belief. (Glassdoor, 2021)
• According to Gallup, employees who receive recognition in their workplace have lower tendencies to experience burnout (73%), are less likely to actively search for new employment (56%), and are more likely to thrive in their overall life (44%).
• By implementing recognition and rewards practices, the chances of employees being four times more engaged in their work and five times more likely to identify growth opportunities within their company are significantly increased. (Gallup, 2022) 
• Gallup’s research reveals that 80% of employees whose recognition needs are fulfilled exhibit higher levels of engagement in their work.

Investing in employee wellness through corporate wellness programs is a win-win strategy for both employees and organizations. By implementing effective rewards and incentives, companies can foster a culture of well-being, leading to increased employee engagement, improved productivity, and reduced healthcare costs. Whether it’s through financial incentives, wellness challenges, on-site amenities, flexible work arrangements, or recognition programs, organizations can empower their employees to prioritize their health and well-being, ultimately creating a healthier, happier, and more successful workforce.