One of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu and other contagious diseases is the simple act of hand washing. While many individuals consider this common sense, there are still plenty that haven’t mastered the art of proper hand washing technique. A 2013 Michigan State University study found that only 5 percent of people washed their hands long enough to kill infection-causing germs and bacteria.

Whether you’re experiencing a morning slump, a mid-day lull or late night writer’s block, the right bit of advice can get you back on track. Keep yourself and your team motivated with words of wisdom from the best entrepreneurs and successful historical figures posted around your office. Whether you frame it as an art piece, print it off as a poster or just send a company-wide email, these quick quotes can be just the thing for keeping your staff motivated. Add a few of these to boost the success of your worksite wellness program, inside and out!

Getting an entire staff to participate in your worksite wellness program is a struggle. You can throw a health fair, build a healthy cafeteria and enact a powerhouse incentives program, but the fact remains that in a typical workplace, it’s going to be almost impossible to get every single employee engaged. What if you could guarantee that every employee would participate in extra physical activity while at work? It’s easier than you think, thanks to a new trend called active design.

When it comes to worksite wellness program benefits, there are some companies that go the extra mile. While some may see scuba diving and smoothie bars as superfluous perks for employees, these seven businesses know that these extra benefits are what makes them some of the best companies to work for in the world.  As a result, they are able to have a higher retention rate, garner top talent and stay sharp in their competitive industries.

The biometric measurements are done, the blood test results are in and a comprehensive aggregate report is sitting on your desk. Find out how your population’s health results measure up against the national data below.

In 2010 alone, the total estimate economic cost of cardiovascular diseases in the United States was $444 billion. According to the CDC, treatment of these diseases accounts for about $1 of every $6 spent on our country’s health care, a financial burden that is certainly felt by employers.  The cost of human life is even more staggering – approximately 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States each year.   

Have you ever wondered why people spend such an exorbitant sum of money on a simple cup of coffee each month? Is the coffee magical? Maybe for some, but Starbucks' success is really based on creating a personalized customer experience and energizing their employees to deliver superior customer service. For example, their employee handbook, called "The Green Apron," talks about connecting, discovering and responding as a way to bond with customers. Starbucks has some great lines from the book – including “Our Purpose: To provide an uplifting experience that enriches people’s daily lives.”

The debate over wellness ROI and whether corporate wellness programs "work" is heating up again after Rand researchers released an article in Health Affairs. This time it's PepsiCo's "Healthy Living" wellness program that is under the microscope.

With the growing popularity of worksite wellness programs, companies are rushing to develop new technologies and programs to roll out. At last count, there were over 500 wellness vendors. With that many vendors, it probably comes as no surprise to you, that reviewing and selecting the right vendor can be a very daunting task.

Employers are increasingly integrating outcome-based incentives into wellness programs. Outcome-based incentives differ from activity-based incentives in that they reward individuals based on actual results, such as reducing blood pressure levels, rather than incenting based solely on activities completed, such as participating in a monthly physical activity challenge.