Small-Business Owners Say Wellness Has Positive Financial Impact

While most small businesses don’t offer health and wellness programs to their employees, three of four that offer such programs find the initiatives positively impact their bottom line. A survey of more than 1,000 small-business owners found 75% said their wellness programs have a positive financial impact. The study, by Humana and the National Small Business Administration, showed more than half of business owners said there was not enough information available on how they should implement wellness initiatives. More than 9 in 10 (93 percent) of the study’s respondents consider their employees’ physical and mental health to be important to their financial results, but only one-third express confidence in their ability to help employees manage their well-being. A key factor in small business owners’ decision about whether or not to introduce a health and wellness program rests with employee interest.