The $250 Million Wake-Up Call: Investing in Wellness and Employee Recognition Rewards
- holliechastain
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 24
When Johnson & Johnson tallied up their wellness program results after ten years, the number stopped executives in their tracks: $250 million saved in healthcare costs. Not reduced. Not projected. Actually saved.
This wasn't magic. It was the power of getting employee wellness incentives right.
The Truth About Wellness Programs
Most wellness programs fail before they start. Picture this: HR launches a new wellness initiative with fanfare and optimism. Six months later? Empty yoga rooms, unused gym discounts, and a participation rate hovering around 20%. Sound familiar?
The problem isn't the program. It's the incentives.
When companies add meaningful rewards to their wellness programs, something remarkable happens. Participation doubles. Employees who previously ignored wellness emails suddenly sign up for walking challenges. The break room buzzes with conversations about step counts and healthy recipes.
Why Your Employees Need Options
Allie from accounting doesn't want another coffee shop gift card. She wants hiking gear for weekend adventures. Trey from IT couldn't care less about restaurant certificates. But he loves preparing a gourmet meal at home.. Maria from operations? She dreams of spa days to decompress from her demanding schedule.
When employees can choose rewards that actually matter to them, they're 3.5 times more likely to engage with your wellness program. They stick around longer too. Companies that personalize their recognition see voluntary turnover drop by 31%.
A Story of Transformation
At Reward Builder, we learned this lesson through experience. Our walking challenge started as a simple step competition. But it became something more when we let people choose their own rewards.
Suddenly, colleagues were sharing sunrise photos from their morning walks. Teams formed naturally, cheering each other toward daily goals. Our VP of Operations, Mike, became our unofficial champion, averaging 20,000 steps daily. His 100-pound weight loss inspired others to join. Not because they had to. Because they wanted to.
The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing
While you're reading this, your healthcare costs are climbing. Absenteeism is chipping away at productivity. Talented employees are browsing job listings because they don't feel valued.
Companies with strategic wellness programs see medical costs drop by $3.27 for every dollar invested.
That's not a typo.
For every dollar you spend on meaningful wellness incentives, you save more than three in healthcare costs alone.
Making Wellness Work in the Real World
Reward Builder strips away the complexity that kills most wellness programs. No setup fees that shock your CFO. No minimum orders that force you to overspend. No contracts that lock you into programs that aren't working.
Just simple, powerful recognition that lets your employees choose what matters most to them. From hundreds of options. Delivered instantly. Managed effortlessly.
Ready to Give Your Employees Recognition They'll Actually Appreciate?
Getting employee incentives right shouldn't mean guessing what your team wants. Reward Builder lets recipients choose from hundreds of gift cards, prepaid cards, and premium products—so every recognition moment feels personal and meaningful.
What makes us different?
No setup fees, contracts, or minimums
Setup and start sending in under 5 minutes
Wellness curated award catalog available
Recipients choose what matters to them
Your branding, your message, their choice
See how companies are transforming their recognition and wellness programs without the complexity or hidden costs.
