As workplace wellness continues to gain traction, companies often look to technology to support their initiatives. While apps and online platforms alone aren’t always enough to improve employee health, workplace wellness management tools are a healthy start. If you’re in the market, here are some things to look for when making your selection.

Progressive adaptation

Employees are diverse, representing a wide range of health issues and readiness to change their current state. The Prosci ADKAR® model of change management suggests that these five stages are necessary for change to stick: awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, or reinforcement. A good workplace wellness management tool recognizes and supports this journey through change. 

Education

The ADKAR® change model identifies that awareness and knowledge are integral parts of the change process. Employees need to understand the problem (awareness) and then know the why, how, or what change (knowledge) will impact their wellbeing. While knowledge alone doesn’t promise change, it is the foundation to providing motivation and action steps for change. A well designed workplace wellness management tool will build these two foundational building blocks into the employee wellbeing experience. 

Track participation

You can’t measure what you can’t track. A good workplace wellness management tool will provide metrics on things like engagement, user experience, and results. Without this data, you are unable to verify the effectiveness or impact on employee wellness. So ultimately, the ROI needs to align with your intention to reduce healthcare costs, improve employee engagement, and build your company culture.  

Usability

A surefire way to discourage your employees quickly is to roll out a benefit to them that’s hard to use. If a new tool, service, or benefit isn’t user-friendly, your employees won’t be happy. Consider a workplace wellness management tool that’s easy to log into, has few (or no) bugs, and has an interface that’s easy to navigate. Because if your employees can’t use it without effort, they won’t. 

Incorporate behavior change

Ability and reinforcement are additional steps in the ADKAR® change model. These steps are built on a strong foundational understanding of behavior change and how to support development of new habits. Your workplace wellness management tool needs to change behavior for the long-term, not short-term. Therefore, knowing how habits work and how to design for workplace wellness is critical to improving ability and reinforcing desired behaviors. 

Attention to holistic wellbeing

Employees need more than one-dimensional support of their physical wellbeing. A holistic approach to workplace wellness should include attention to the social, mental, and financial health of your people as well. Rule out any workplace wellness management tool that fails to address your employee’s holistic wellbeing. Choose a well rounded alternative to build a stronger and healthier workplace. 

So, if you need help cutting through the confusion of choosing a workplace wellness management tool, connect with us. 

BetterYou helps people spend their time on the things that matter most – the physical, mental, social, educational dimensions of wellness. Our easy to use workplace wellness management tool supports the change your company needs to improve the wellbeing of your employees and culture.