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IBX Insights

Workplace Wellness: Small Changes at Work Can Lead to Big Results

By March 21, 2014October 30th, 2020Well-being
Office Yoga

Employee wellness programs are a hot topic these days, with good reason. Research shows that healthier employees are more productive and can help save their employers money in overall health care costs. As vice president of Wellness and Community Health at IBX, I am probably a little biased, but I know employee wellness programs work because I have seen the results firsthand.

For more than eight years I worked in human resources at IBX, specifically focusing on talent management, employee engagement, and wellness programs. During those eight years, I became increasingly passionate about wellness programs as I witnessed the positive impact they have on the culture of the workplace.

Why Employee Wellness Programs Work

We believe in supporting the well-being of our employees, and believe that other companies can also reap the rewards of an employee wellness program. We recently published a white paper evaluating the effectiveness of employee wellness programs and our research shows that companies with engaged employees have lower absenteeism, lower turnover, and higher productivity.

Employees who participate in wellness programs are healthier, happier, and much more engaged. These employees have made great strides toward eating well, managing stress, staying active, and quitting smoking. They report feeling more focused and energetic and are less likely to get sick. They are more likely to be innovative and productive, both at work and at home. And, they share a sense of camaraderie and community with their colleagues. As a result, they are more engaged and involved in the success of our company.

Like positive peer pressure, a company that creates a culture of wellness attracts and retains like-minded people — employees who value a workplace with happy, healthy, productive individuals.

Engage Your Employees with a Comprehensive Wellness Program

You can support the well-being of your employees and increase your company’s competitiveness with Healthy Lifestyles℠ Solutions — a health management strategy that gets results. We work with you to create an integrated employee wellness program that is tailored to fit your employees’ needs. Providing a workplace wellness program like Healthy Lifestyle Solutions can improve overall employee health, job satisfaction, engagement, and retention, and result in cost savings for you: a win-win for everyone.

As we launch our 2014 employee wellness program here at IBX, I challenge you to do one thing every day to improve your health. Anyone can adopt this approach, whether you have a wellness program at work or not. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Swap out dessert for a piece of fruit. Replace your daily soda with water.

Commit to making one small change to improve your health and you will reap the benefits for years to come.

 

Kimberly Eberbach

Kimberly Eberbach is vice president of Wellness and Community Health at Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia. In this role, she is responsible for the development and execution of wellness-related strategies and programs for employees, members and the surrounding community. Eberbach previously held the position of vice president of Human Resources for the company. Since joining Independence Blue Cross in 2003, Eberbach has held various leadership roles involving training and development, leadership and executive development, employee communications, employee initiatives, talent acquisition, compensation, and benefits. Prior to joining Independence Blue Cross, Eberbach spent ten years consulting in strategic planning, change management, and leadership and process improvement. Her clients reflected a broad spectrum of industries and segments, including technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, health care, education, and government. Before entering into consulting, Eberbach worked in higher education and clinical psychology research. Eberbach has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master of arts degree in communications. She lives in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania with her husband, Peter.