Job-seekers weigh health and wellness benefits during searches: survey

Menlo Park, CA — Nearly three-quarters of office workers take into account potential employers’ health and wellness offerings when looking for a job, according to the results of a recent survey.

Independent research firms commissioned by staffing firm OfficeTeam surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adult office workers and about 2,800 senior managers at organizations with at least 20 employees in 28 major U.S. cities.

Overall, 73 percent of respondents – including 79 percent of men and 65 percent of women – reported that a company’s health and wellness package influenced their decision to consider a position.

Forty-three percent of employers offered access to wellness programs. Other available amenities included fitness facilities or programs (41 percent), ergonomic evaluations or equipment (36 percent), healthy food options (34 percent), onsite vaccinations or health screenings (32 percent), and stress management resources (32 percent).

Other findings:

• Among workers between the ages of 18 and 34, 87 percent said they considered health and wellness offerings when choosing a job, compared with 70 percent for those 35 to 54 and 44 percent for those 55 and older.
• Companies with 500 or more employees are more likely than smaller companies to offer health and wellness benefits.
• Twenty percent of employers surveyed did not offer access to any of these benefits or amenities.

“Candidates today are taking a holistic view when weighing job offers, including looking at resources that impact their overall well-being,” OfficeTeam Executive Director Stephanie Naznitsky said in a Jan. 7 press release. “Companies that recognize employee health goes beyond standard benefits packages and offer robust wellness programs and perks are more likely to land and retain top talent.”