Employee Wellness Blog | TotalWellness

Making Biometric Screenings Part of Your Culture

Written by Lisa Stovall | Mon, May 12, 2025

What if a health screening didn’t feel like just another task… but a moment of care that your team actually looked forward to?

Too often, screenings get tucked into the “check-the-box” category. Quick, clinical, and forgettable. But they don’t have to be.

With a little heart and creativity, health screenings can be transformed into something meaningful. A celebration of well-being, a chance for employees to feel seen, supported, and valued. Not just for what they do but for who they are.

When you bring intention to these moments — with fun themes, personal touches, and leadership who shows up — it sends a powerful message:

Your health matters here. You matter here.

Ready to turn a routine into a culture-building moment your employees won’t want to miss?

Why Health Screenings Matter More Than Ever

Let’s face it: between tight deadlines, back-to-back meetings, and the pressure to perform, employee health often gets pushed aside. However, skipping regular health checks can lead to serious consequences for employees and employers.

That’s where biometric screenings come in. These quick, on-site checks help detect health risks early, so employees can take action before small issues become costly conditions.

Think of biometric screenings as a “health snapshot.” In just a few minutes, they can reveal key health indicators like:

  • Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” for a reason — it often shows no symptoms but can lead to heart disease or stroke.

  • Cholesterol: Elevated cholesterol levels can clog arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.

  • Glucose Levels: Screening for blood sugar helps identify risks for diabetes, a condition that often goes undiagnosed for years.

  • Body Mass Index (BMI): While not a perfect measure, BMI offers a quick look at whether someone is at a healthy weight, which can impact energy, mobility, and long-term health.

Offering screenings at work makes it simple, accessible, and way less intimidating. Here’s how to turn a health screening into a high-five moment for your culture.

Step 1: Give Screenings a Makeover

Biometric screenings can feel a little...clinical. But they don’t have to! With just a little creativity, you can turn your screening day into something employees actually look forward to.

The goal? Make it feel less like a medical appointment and more like a mini wellness celebration.

By adding playful touches and positive energy, you create an environment that feels welcoming, not intimidating, and that can go a long way in boosting participation and morale.

A fun theme instantly adds energy and gives you a jumping-off point for decorations, snacks, and swag.

Try one of these crowd-pleasers:

  • Know Your Numbers Day
    Turn screenings into a fun quiz show vibe with buzzers, trivia, and giveaways about cholesterol, BMI, blood pressure, etc. Add a "Spin the Wellness Wheel" for healthy prizes.

  • Wellness is a Superpower
    Encourage employees to dress as their favorite superhero. Highlight how small habits (like knowing your health stats) build real-life strength. Bonus points for leadership showing up in costume!

  • Mind + Body Checkpoint
    Combine biometric screening with mindfulness pop-ups like a gratitude wall or a breathing break station. Encourage a holistic approach to health.
  • Power Up Your Health
    Each screening is a “level up.” Employees earn digital badges or stickers for each health metric they complete. Have an 8-bit leaderboard or arcade sound effects for fun.

  • Heart Strong
    Go all-in on heart health: red decor, heart-healthy snacks (like berries, dark chocolate, or trail mix), and music that makes people smile. Invite a local heart health expert to answer questions or lead a mini stress-relief session.

  • Bloom into Wellness
    Floral decor, plant giveaways, and light refreshments like herbal teas. Great for a springtime event or outdoor setup.

  • Fresh Start Friday
    Host screenings on a Friday and pair them with smoothies, chair massages, or an on-site yoga class to give employees a reset heading into the weekend.

  • Health & Harmony Week
    Make it a multi-day event with themed days. Move It Monday (fitness focus), Tasty Tuesday (nutrition tips), Wellness Wednesday (screenings!), and so on. Layer in bite-sized wellness content throughout the week.

Step 2: Offer Incentives That Work

Rewards don’t have to be big. A small thank-you can go a long way in making employees feel seen, valued, and motivated to participate. The key? Choose rewards that feel personal, thoughtful, and aligned with your culture. 

Incentive ideas:

  • Gift card raffles (coffee shops or local healthy businesses)
  • PTO hours for participating
  • Discounts on insurance premiums
  • Free lunch or smoothie bar on screening day

Pro Tip: Tie your incentive to a company-wide challenge. For example, employees who attend the screening AND take a wellness quiz could be entered into a grand prize drawing.

Step 3: Connect to a Bigger Purpose

Biometric screenings aren’t just about numbers. They’re about people. And when employees understand the why behind the event, participation and engagement naturally grow.

  • Share the ‘why’:  Help employees see the big picture. These screenings aren’t about checking a box or collecting data for reports — they’re about investing in their long-term health. Be clear and heartfelt in your messaging:

    • “We’re doing this because your health matters."

    • “This is about catching small issues before they become big ones.”

  • Tie into other wellness efforts: Don’t let the event stand alone! Use it as a springboard for other wellness initiatives that reinforce your culture of health and support.

Step 4: Add an Educational Element

Knowledge is empowering, especially when it comes to your health.

While biometric screenings provide important numbers, many employees are left wondering, “What does this actually mean for me?” Without context, even helpful data can feel overwhelming or confusing.

Understanding their results helps employees feel more confident and more in control of their health. It also increases the chance they’ll take action — whether that’s following up with a provider, joining a wellness program, or making lifestyle changes.

What helps:

  • Hand out flyers or display posters with tips based on common results.
  • Host a lunch-and-learn after screening day. For example, bring in a dietitian to give a 20-minute talk on “What to Eat When Your Cholesterol’s High.” 

Step 5: Bring in Leadership

When leaders show up, employees pay attention. Leadership involvement sends a powerful, unspoken message: “This isn’t just another HR initiative — this matters.” It helps shape the culture from the top down and reminds employees that their health and well-being are truly valued.

Encourage leaders to:

  • Participate in the screenings
  • Send out personal invites or reminders
  • Share why health matters to them
  • Thank employees for showing up

Step 6: Keep the Momentum Going

Don’t let your health screening be a one-and-done. Instead, treat it like a launchpad for a healthier, more connected workplace. When you follow up with intention and energy, you turn insights into action — and action into lasting change.

Follow-up ideas:

  • Share anonymous stats in your company newsletter or intranet site (e.g., “62% of staff were in a healthy blood pressure range. Great job!”)

  • Offer one-on-one coaching for anyone who wants help with their results.

  • Launch a wellness challenge tied to screening results (e.g., walking or hydration goals)

  • Create a “Wellness Wins” wall in the breakroom or Slack channel where employees can share tips, stories, or wins inspired by their screening.

Making It Stick

Here’s how to turn your next health screening into a company culture moment:

  • Make it fun with a theme
  • Offer simple incentives to boost engagement
  • Add education to turn results into action
  • Show leadership support to build trust
  •  Follow up to keep wellness top of mind

When screenings are done right, they do more than check a box. They build community, spark important conversations, and show that your company truly cares about people, not just performance.

Ready to plan a screening event? We make it easy — from set-up to follow-up. Let’s build a healthier, happier workplace together. Learn more here