Improved health is the top New Years resolution among employees, as 82% say they pledge to lose weight, increase exercise or reduce stress in 2014, according to a survey from Keas.
For these resolutions to stick, respondents are turning to their employers in the hope their companies will create corporate cultures that promote these goals. For employees, cash and prize rewards is the most popular motivator at (55%), followed by on-site gyms and fitness classes at (38%), and allowing flexible hours or working from home (21%.)
Along with the 43% of respondents who consider health as their main focus next year, other popular resolutions include finding more time (19%), making more money (17%) and having more sex (14%). The top health improvement resolutions are losing weight (33%), increasing exercise (28%) and lowering stress (21%.)
When it comes to attaining those health-related goals, certain sacrifices are off limits, though, as 95% of respondents say they wouldnt give up coffee and alcohol. However, 34% say they would drop sweets and fast food, and 23% say they would give up soda. Another 35% say they would stop watching TV for better health.
Considering the amount of time most employees spend sitting, 53% of respondents agree that it is hurting their health. While 42% say they are open to moving to standing desks, 58% say they are planning to take walking breaks and eat lunch away from their desks more often.
To help with their goals, respondents expect to rely on technology. In fact, 83% are tracking their efforts with apps and devices, and of those respondents, 37% are using technology to track food and activities, 29% use it to track weight goals, and 22% rely on technology for health data. Apps are the most popular form of technology to track health goals (used by 55%) as opposed to 25% of respondents who rely on devices. Among those devices respondents are mostly likely to consider using are body-analyzing devices (47%), body tracking devices without wrist straps (24%) and devices worn while working out (16%.)
The trillion-dollar question for employers today is how to not only boost employee engagement and productivity in the workplace, but keep it growing, says Josh Stevens, CEO of Keas. Engaging employees by making health part of the company culture has become a key factor in this equation.
