How to Start a Wellness Program at Your Company
Employee wellness programs are a dime a dozen, but let’s be real - most of them are just another bullet point in the benefits package, buried between PTO and dental coverage. Good companies get it, wellness isn’t just some corporate buzzword, it’s a game-changer. A solid wellness program doesn’t just check a box; it creates a work environment where people actually want to show up, feel their best, and perform at a high level. Happy, healthy employees don’t just work harder - they stick around longer, take fewer sick days, and bring way more energy to the table. A well-designed program doesn’t just help employees stay healthy; it builds a culture where people feel energized, supported, and genuinely excited to show up every day.
We’ve seen firsthand how the right wellness perks can transform workplaces, boosting morale, engagement, and even retention. So, how do you create a program that actually works?
Let’s break it down.
1. Personalized Health Coaching for Real Accountability
Some companies offer gym discounts. Others throw a wellness newsletter in your inbox and call it a day. Or businesses can take a different approach - real accountability. Every employee gets a personal health coach at the start of the year. They check in to help set goals - whether it’s dropping 10 pounds, getting in shape for a rec league, or just sticking to regular exercise - and works with each employee to build a measurable action plan. Each quarter, the coach reconnects with the employee to track progress, tweak goals, and celebrate wins. Knowing the coach is going to check in keeps employees on track, motivated, and way more consistent than they might be on their own.
Small Business Version: If hiring a dedicated health coach isn’t an option, try:
• Partnering with a local trainer or gym to offer discounted coaching sessions.
• Creating an accountability buddy system so employees can support each other’s goals.
• Using a fitness tracking challenge (via apps like Strava or Fitbit) with small rewards for hitting personal milestones.
2. On-the-Clock Health Screenings
Taking care of your health shouldn’t have to happen on your own time - try offering employees a voucher for a full health screening at a local Labcorp or similar clinic. Employees can use it during work hours, so there’s no excuse to skip it.
These screenings include:
• Height, weight, and BMI measurements to track basic health stats
• A comprehensive blood test that checks for key markers like cholesterol levels, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, vitamin deficiencies, and more.
• Early detection of potential health issues, so employees can make adjustments before
something becomes serious.
Employees might even look forward to it every year - mostly because some don’t even own a scale at home, and will want to see how their progress is coming along. Or it could serve as the wake-up call someone needs, where they can course-correct before things got out of hand.
Small Business Version: If covering lab tests isn’t in the budget, try:
• Partnering with a local clinic to offer discounted employee screenings.
• Bringing in a nurse or health professional once a year for free basic check-ups.
• Offering paid wellness hours so employees can schedule their own doctor visits without stress.
3. Get Paid to Stay Healthy: HSA Incentive Program
What’s better than feeling great? Getting paid for it. Try offering a wellness incentive program where employees can earn contributions to their Health Savings Account (HSA) just by participating in different health-focused activities.
Employees can rack up HSA dollars by:
• Attending Lunch & Learn sessions on topics like nutrition, stress management, or fitness.
• Participating in company wellness challenges (think step competitions or hydration tracking).
• Completing a coaching session to show progress on weight loss or fitness goals.
• Attending a smoking cessation program to help kick the habit.
It’s a win-win: employees get extra money toward medical expenses, and the company fosters a culture of health and engagement - without forcing anyone into a one-size-fits-all wellness plan.
Small Business Version: If an HSA contribution isn’t feasible, try:
• Offering gift cards or wellness stipends for participation.
• Creating raffles or prizes for employees who complete wellness challenges.
• Partnering with local businesses for discounts on fitness classes or health services.
4. Get Your Partner in on the Action
Wellness isn’t just about what happens at work - it’s a lifestyle. Encourage employees to bring their spouse or partner into the wellness program. When the people you live with are on board, it’s way easier to stay on track and actually make long-term changes.
Some of the ways company’s can include spouses and partners:
• Offer discounted or free gym memberships for both employees and their partners.
• Allow plus-ones to join wellness challenges (because a little friendly competition never hurt anyone).
• Extend nutrition and fitness coaching sessions to spouses so the whole household can work toward health goals together.
• Include partners in mental health and stress management resources, because well-being isn’t just about physical fitness.
This approach recognizes that real change starts at home - and when your partner is in on it, staying consistent becomes way easier.
Small Business Version:
• Offer guest passes for fitness challenges or wellness events.
• Provide access to digital wellness resources (like online fitness or mindfulness apps).
• Encourage employees to set shared wellness goals with their partners and track progress together.
5. On-Demand Health: Online Symptom Checker
Nobody wants to waste time (or money) on unnecessary doctor visits, but ignoring minor health concerns can lead to bigger issues down the line. Online symptom checkers, allow employees to quickly assess whether they need medical attention - or if rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies will do the trick.
With this tool, employees can:
• Input symptoms and get AI-driven guidance on possible causes.
• Receive recommendations on whether to seek professional care.
• Access telehealth options if further consultation is needed.
It’s an easy way to empower employees to make informed health decisions without panicking over every sore throat or headache. Plus, it cuts down on unnecessary sick days while ensuring that real medical concerns aren’t ignored.
Small Business Version: If a paid service isn’t feasible, try:
• Partnering with a local clinic to offer a hotline for quick medical advice.
• Providing employees with a list of free, reputable online symptom checkers.
• Offering a stipend for telehealth visits to encourage proactive care.
6. Gamify Wellness with Health Trackers
Instead of just encouraging employees to be active, make it fun and engaging. Provide
employees with fitness trackers or give the option to sync their own devices to a company-wide wellness platform. From there, they can set personal health goals and join friendly competitions that reward movement, sleep, and exercise consistency.
Employees can earn points or rewards for:
• Hitting daily step goals (e.g., 10,000 steps).
• Logging consistent sleep patterns over a month.
• Completing a set number of weekly workouts.
The best part? It’s all optional and customizable. Employees can choose to keep their progress private or join team challenges for some friendly competition. Small incentives - like gift cards, wellness stipends, or extra PTO - keep motivation high, and department-wide leaderboards bring a social aspect to staying active.
Small Business Version: If company-provided trackers aren’t feasible, try:
• Organizing step challenges using free apps like Strava or Google Fit.
• Offering partial reimbursement for fitness wearables.
• Setting up quarterly wellness raffles based on participation.
Final Thoughts
So, can a wellness program actually make people love their jobs? From our experience - 100 percent yes. Investing in employee wellness boosts productivity, improves morale, and keeps people around for the long haul.
If you’re thinking about revamping your company’s wellness program, start small, listen to employees, and focus on what actually makes a difference. It doesn’t have to be fancy - but it does have to be real.
For businesses looking for guidance, Alloy Employment Services can help. They specialize in creating workplace wellness plans that keep employees engaged and supported. Whether it’s structuring incentives, finding the right benefits, or implementing wellness perks that actually work, they have the expertise to make it happen.
