Competition in the workplace had always existed, so including it in your corporate wellness program is a simple and super-smart strategy to boost participation and generate a ton of positive feedback. It's the perfect way to combine the trend of "gamification" with small incentives that can give employees defined goals, healthy competition and a true sense of teamwork.

It's pretty obvious to us that the door-to-door strolls around your neighborhood aren't enough to burn up all those candy calories on Halloween. Here are a few ways to make everyone's favorite eerie evening into a happy, healthy and safe experience for you and your family, both at home and at work. 

As a corporate wellness program provider, it probably seems slightly counterintuitive for us to suggest that you stop forcing employees to participate in your wellness program. In fact, the idea of "disincentivizing" employees is actually growing in popularity; an Aon Hewitt survey demonstrated that 53% of employers plan to begin implementing disincentives in the next 3-5 years. 

If you're reading this blog, we know that you're ready and willing to devote the time, energy and money that it takes to build a brilliant worksite wellness program. Here's the rub, though: out of all of the companies that have wellness programs, only 24% of employees are participating (according to a Gallup study). Less than a quarter. We know that's not enough; you want your entire workforce to be engaged in their work and enabled to be productive and successful, whether that's physically, financially and/or emotionally. 

Up to 64% of adults and children who receive the flu shot experience pain and/or soreness at the site of the injection, making it the most common side effect of the vaccine. Many patients unpleasantly describe it as feeling like they were "getting punched in the arm," and we understand that it can be a real discomfort for the one or two days it takes for the soreness to go away. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce or avoid this experience when you attend an on-site flu clinic this year! 

My flu shot didn't work this year.

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo)

When you think of company culture, Clif Bar is one of the first places that comes to mind. The healthy snack and drink company has truly set the 'bar' for America's workplaces, from a robust wellness program to an incredible list of perks and benefits. 

In an organization that cites athletes and health nuts as its demographic, Clif Bar understands the importance and the value of corporate wellness. Clif Bar employs a "Wellness Diva" whose job is purely to find ways to keep Clif Bar's 200+ employees healthy and productive.

Every employee can exercise for two and a half hours each week on company time. They can work out with one of five on-site personal trainers, participate in one of the 32 free fitness classes offered each week at the on-site gym, or take one of the in-house bikes out for a ride. Clif Bar also offers wellness seminars, an annual health fair with biometric screenings, and a reimbursement of up to $350 for participating in athletic competitions like marathons or triathlons.