Workplace wellness. What comes to mind when you hear those words? Weight loss challenges? Screenings? Health risks? A universally accepted definition does not really exist but most wellness programs target exercise, smoking and weight loss. What if we change traditional workplace wellness so it encompasses employee wellbeing and was seen as a natural extension of the company's identity?

It's been a rough couple of months for corporate wellness. First, there was the depressing 2013 RAND report on corporate wellness. Next the State of Nebraska had to defend their wellness program results. And, just last week faculty and staff at Penn State protested their new wellness program.

Are you educating your employees about blood pressure? If not, you should be. High blood pressure impacts one in three adults in the U.S., making it one of the most common chronic conditions in the country. Plus, it typically develops without signs or symptoms, so many people don't realize they have it. 

People are fickle about the flu shot. During the 2011-2012 flu season, according to the CDC, only 42% of the U.S. population actually got the vaccine.

Let's face it. We all have an intense desire to fit in - whether at work, school or home - we never escape the power of peer pressure. While peer pressure is usually seen as a negative thing, people can also influence each other's behavior in healthy ways. 

A couple of drops of blood for a biometric screening might not seem like a big deal, but for many employees, the mention of biometric screenings strikes fear in their hearts.

Research shows that a strong communications strategy is key to a successful worksite flu vaccination program. Promoting the flu vaccine at every opportunity and explaining the benefits of vaccination can also help you increase participation. Yet each year, human resource professionals struggle to come up with creative flu shot communication and marketing materials. 

Stories are the way that humans make sense of the world. When your colleagues ask you about how you spent your weekend, you don’t start with facts and figures. You tell them stories.

Most employers offer some form of wellness benefits. From on-site health screenings to personal health coaching, employers are acknowledging the need for wellness. But many corporate wellness programs never reach their full potential.

A biometric screening program is an important first step toward improving the health of your employees and reducing health care costs. Many health indicators, such as high blood pressure, can go undetected. Screenings are an ideal way to not only help employees become aware of their current health status, but also to educate and get them on the road to health.