Employee Perceptions of Wellness Programs and Incentives

Purpose: To explore, by income level, employee perceptions of an employer offered wellness incentive program. Design: Qualitative and quantitative study that includes a survey with close-ended and open-ended questions. Setting: The study setting was a hospital in Wisconsin. Participants: Participants (n = 105). Measures and Analysis: Quantitative responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Qualtrics and logistic regression in Statistical Analysis System. Results: Sixty-three percent participated in the wellness incentivized program because their employer offers them a reward; 52% said they would participate without a reward; 48% feel like they must participate in this year's program; and 34% feel like they would have to disclose information about their health at or below the current reward level. Conclusion: Income does not have a significant effect on whether employees feel they must participate or disclose health information. However, income has a significant effect on employee's beliefs about whether or not employers should play an active role in improving the health of their employees.