Onsite health centers can significantly boost employee engagement and health outcomes. 95% of employers with onsite clinics saw an increase in employee utilization of preventive care (NAWHC, 2021). That's a win-win for employee health and your bottom line. Even better, 91% of employees who used onsite clinics reported satisfaction with the care they received (Mercer, 2021). When employees are happy with their healthcare, they're more likely to use it proactively.
But here's the million-dollar question: How do you ensure your employees actually use the health center you’ve invested in? Let's dive into some strategies that can turn your health center from a well-intentioned perk into a thriving hub of employee wellness and engagement.
Strategies for Boosting Utilization and Engagement
- Improve Access to Healthcare: Make it easy for employees to use the health center. 52% of employees with access to a worksite clinic used it within the year (Mercer, 2021). Why? Convenience. Employees can receive care without taking time off work, reducing disruptions to productivity and improving work-life balance.
- Enhance Employee Wellbeing: Offer a range of services beyond just treating illnesses. Consider wellness programs, mental health support, and preventive care services.
- Foster a Culture of Health: Make health and wellness a part of your company culture. Encourage managers to lead by example in utilizing the health center and participating in wellness initiatives.
- Reduce Absenteeism: Absences due to mental health were up a reported 33% in 2023 from just a year prior, and up 300% from 2017’s levels. The more a worker is absent, the more likely they are to leave your organization entirely, making frequent absences a risk for your organization (Mercer, 2024). Onsite clinics can address health concerns promptly, keeping your team present and productive.
- Boost Job Satisfaction & Loyalty: When employees feel their health is a priority, it can increase job satisfaction and loyalty. This can be particularly powerful in today's competitive job market.
- Communicate Effectively: Regularly remind employees about the services available at the health center. Use multiple channels – email, intranet, posters, and team meetings – to get the word out.
- Offer Incentives: Consider offering incentives for health center utilization, particularly for preventive care services. This could be anything from extra PTO to contributions to health savings accounts.
- Gather and Act on Feedback: Regularly survey employees about their health center experiences and preferences. Use this feedback to continually improve services and address any barriers to utilization.
Remember, an employee health center is a powerful tool for improving workforce health and engagement – but only if it's used. By implementing these strategies, you can boost utilization, improve health outcomes, and create a more engaged, productive workforce.
References
Mercer. (2021). Mercer Worksite Health Centers 2021 Survey Report. National Association of Worksite Health Centers. https://www.mercer.com/assets/us/en_us/shared-assets/local/attachments/pdf-2021-worksite-health-centers-report.pdf
National Association of Worksite Health Centers (NAWHC). (2021). Employer-Sponsored Onsite Health Services: A Five-Year Perspective 2015-2020. https://www.nawhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/NAWHC-Employer-Report_2021-Final.pdf
