Today's workplaces face immense challenges in maintaining peak employee performance. Rising levels of stress, burnout, and chronic health conditions are contributing to a troubling decline in productivity across organisations.
A revealing 2023 McKinsey Health Institute survey of over 30,000 employees worldwide highlighted that only 57% rated their holistic health as positive—including mental, physical, spiritual, and social wellness—while one in five employees (22%) reported burnout symptoms.
For HR teams, these figures underline the growing difficulty of maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. One promising yet often overlooked solution is employee health screenings.
What are employee health screenings?
Employee health screenings are assessments designed to evaluate various aspects of an employee's physical and mental wellbeing. They generally include evaluating health metrics such as:
- BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Blood pressure levels
- Cholesterol profiles
- Blood glucose for diabetes risk
- Mental health assessments for conditions like stress, anxiety, or depression
Health screenings can take multiple forms to suit different organisational needs:
- On-site screening: Medical professionals conduct testing within the workplace, offering employees convenience and accessibility.
- Digital assessments: Employees fill out online health questionnaires, often linked to virtual consultations.
- External providers: Employees can visit clinics or healthcare centres for specialised assessments.
These screenings yield valuable data about employees’ health status and can help organisations tailor their wellness programmes for optimal outcomes.
Why employee health screenings matter to HR
Healthy employees take fewer sick days, have higher sustained energy levels, and are more engaged. This vitality translates directly into consistency in performance, fewer operational disruptions, and a more resilient team.
Research shows that investing in holistic employee health could generate up to $9 trillion in global economic value by reducing presenteeism and improving productivity.
For HR professionals juggling budget constraints and wellness programmes, health screenings offer a cost-effective solution. They help identify early signs of chronic illnesses and mental health challenges, addressing potential issues before they affect performance or or become costly to manage.
Here are five impactful ways health screenings can make a difference in your organisation:
1. Enable early detection and timely intervention
Detecting health issues in their early stages significantly reduces both personal and organisational risks. Employees can take action early, preventing chronic conditions while organisations benefit from fewer sick days and better overall productivity.
For instance, understanding an employee’s elevated glucose levels through a simple screening can lead to interventions that delay or prevent the onset of diabetes entirely.
2. Encourage employee accountability
When employees receive regular updates on their health metrics, they are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles. This might mean starting a workout routine, making healthier eating choices, or consciously reducing stress.
Such accountability nurtures a culture of self-care, empowering individuals to make informed choices that enhance both their personal wellbeing and professional performance. The result? Improved focus, greater resilience, and higher job satisfaction.
3. Foster a culture of wellbeing
Health screenings send a powerful message to employees—that their wellbeing is a priority. This fosters a culture where healthy habits are celebrated, and initiatives like wellness workshops and fitness programmes find higher participation rates. An engaged and cared-for employee base ultimately contributes to better teamwork, creativity, and morale.
4. Lower healthcare costs
Detecting and managing health conditions early also translates into financial savings. Healthier employees lead to reduced insurance premiums, fewer critical treatments, and fewer absences due to preventable illnesses. Both organisations and employees save money that would otherwise go towards managing advanced medical conditions.
5. Gain actionable wellness insights
A lesser-discussed advantage of workplace health screenings is the valuable data they provide. Regular, ongoing monitoring allows organisations to track trends over time and adapt their wellness initiatives as needed.
By analysing this data, HR teams can develop targeted programmes—such as weight management plans for employees with high BMIs or mental health support for those under significant stress—fostering a proactive and holistic approach to employee wellbeing.
Best practices for employee health screenings
Implementing a workplace health screening initiative requires careful planning for the best outcomes. Here is how HR teams can approach it effectively.
1. Choose the right provider
When choosing a health screening provider, consider your organisation’s size, industry, and operational needs. Explore these options:
- On-site screenings: Convenient for larger offices, allowing employees to participate without leaving the workplace
- Digital assessments: Ideal for remote or flexible workforces, offering accessibility and ease
- Hybrid formats: A balanced approach that caters to both in-office and remote employees
You may also need to assess whether specialised offsite evaluations are required. This depends on your workforce’s specific health risks, job functions, and the need for advanced assessments.
2. Ensure privacy and data security
Building employee trust is essential when handling sensitive health data. To safeguard this trust, ensure that any tools or providers you work with fully comply with data privacy regulations. This includes encrypting data during collection, storage, and analysis.
Be transparent with employees about how their information will be used and protected, fostering confidence in your commitment to their privacy.
3. Develop effective engagement strategies
Drive participation in health screenings by clearly communicating their benefits for both employees and the company. Use accessible communication channels to raise awareness, and reinforce your message with follow-up campaigns via email or internal messaging to maximise participation.
To further encourage engagement, offer wellness perks like extended lunch breaks, extra leave days, fitness classes, or gym membership discounts. These incentives can motivate employees to take part while promoting a culture of health and wellbeing within the workplace.
4. Create post-screening action plans
Screening results should lead to actionable wellness initiatives tailored to employee needs. Use the data to design initiatives such as:
- Stress management workshops for high-anxiety groups or employees with elevated cortisol levels
- Nutrition coaching sessions for those with high cholesterol or related health markers
- Weight-loss and fitness challenges for employees with high BMI
- Smoking cessation programmes for tobacco users
Collaborate with health coaches and wellness experts to ensure effective follow-ups and sustainable outcomes. Structured interventions, such as chronic disease management programmes (CDMPs), can support employees with chronic conditions in adopting lasting lifestyle changes, improving their wellbeing both at work and in their personal lives.
Build a thriving, productive workforce
The connection between employee health and productivity is impossible to ignore. Healthy employees are more engaged, focused, and motivated, leading to higher productivity, fewer absences, and lower costs for an organisation.
Partnering with digital health providers like Naluri streamlines the process of improving employee wellness—from screenings and analytics to ongoing support—ensuring a seamless and effective wellness journey for your people. By integrating health screenings into a long-term wellness strategy, HR teams can create a thriving workplace that supports both individual and organisational success.
For more information about how Naluri can support your employees’ health and wellbeing, explore our CDMP, or talk to our sales team.