Perceived Effects of Corporate Wellness Programs on Employee’s Productivity at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upperhill

Abstract

Corporate wellness programs are interventions designed to promote physical, social and mental health among employees in the workplace to produce attitudinal and behavioral benefits. The programs aim to encourage employees to take control and preventive measures of their health in-order to improve performance and also to manage healthcare costs. The benefits derived from effectively implemented wellness programs are; improved employee morale and commitment to the organization, improved employee productivity, decreased turnover, improved safety behavior and decreased absenteeism. The findings of the study also indicate that organizations would benefit from implementing corporate wellness programs through reduced health care costs, decreased employees’ compensation claims and enhanced corporate image. The research sought to establish the perceived effects of corporate wellness programs on employee productivity at Radisson Blu Hotel. The study used a descriptive design, and a stratified sample of 170 employees was selected from a total population of 288. The study used structured questionnaires prepared in form of a five point Likert scale which was tested and distributed to the respondents. The data collected was obtained and analyzed using a regression analysis to determine the means and standard deviation of various factors on corporate wellness programs and employee productivity. The analyzed data was presented in a simple linear regression model to determine the findings. The study found that Corporate Wellness Programs such as Screening Programs, Health and Safety Programs, Wellness Risk Awareness Programs and Preventive Programs had a positive impact on employee productivity. Wellness Communication Programs and Fitness Programs did not have an effect on employee productivity. The study also found that there is a strong relationship between corporate wellness programs and employee productivity. The findings of the study indicate that successfully implemented corporate wellness programs can positively impact on employee productivity. The study demonstrates that there is a strong positive significant correlation between corporate wellness programs and employee productivity and therefore recommends their introduction in workplaces to increase profitability. Additionally employers should use the workplace as a platform to introduce and offer wellness programs to improve the overall health of their employees and strengthen their work capability.