If you're a HR pro who manages wellness or a worksite wellness manager, you probably deal with one or more of these on a daily basis: employee communication, event management, incentive tracking, reporting on results and the list goes on. The days are long but there is never enough time to get everything done.

Seventy percent of workers are disengaged and uninspired at work, according to Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace study. But it's not all doom and gloom for HR pros. There's a way to fight back.

Has your corporate wellness program hit the skids? Does it feel dry, lifeless and completely devoid of any engaging programs or interesting activities? If so, you’re not alone. It’s a common occurrence. Eventually we are all bound to hit the proverbial “brick wall.”

Leading employers know they need to create healthy cultures to attract and retain top talent, improve productivity, reduce health risks, and boost employee engagement. 

Countless research studies have shown that physical activity drives better health and longevity. In fact, exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning. So, as corporate wellness providers, we are constantly looking for ways to encourage employees to be more active.

Are you effectively marketing your worksite wellness program? Research shows the answer is probably no. Aon Hewitt’s 2012 Health Care Survey reports that only 17% of surveyed employers use consumer marketing techniques when promoting their wellness program.

More and more employers are offering biometric screenings because it's an effective way of collecting valuable information about employees' current health status and risk areas. In 2011, 62% of large employers offered biometric screenings to employees. 

While many individuals are motivated to take care of themselves and their health, most don’t! Over 60% of American’s are overweight or obese and 19% still smoke. Employees’ lack of interest in and motivation to change is the most significant stumbling blocks in worksite wellness. In fact according to Aon Hewitt, the number one priority for employee health benefits managers is motivating and helping sustain workers’ positive health behaviors.

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.