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Company Wellness Programs Don’t Make Anyone Well

January 17, 2024

What: This may not be shocking to the more cynical among us, but an Oxford University researcher conducted a huge survey on all the wellness programs that companies now offer employees–including apps, coaching, relaxation classes—and found they had zero positive effect. (The only exception? The opportunity to volunteer.)

Why it matters: Companies spend a good amount of money on all these programs – money that might be better spent on things like schedules, pay, and performance reviews. Researcher William Fleming said there’s nothing wrong with apps, but “if you’re seriously trying to drive employee’s well-being, then it has to be about working practices.”

Source: New York Times

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