Companies Seek Friends to Keep You Healthy

Social networking pressure helps employees take better care of themselves.

December 03, 2013

MCLEAN, VA – Companies are taking creative and proactive measures to address workers who don’t take better care of themselves, USA Today reports, turning to workers’ friends and families for help.

The approach reflects research that says employees can become healthier more easily if encouraged by friends and family to eat the right foods or exercise.

Employee health and engagement company Keas has adopted this social approach to health with growing success.

Josh Stevens, Keas chief executive, said that his company offers a Facebook-like program that allows workers, their friends and families to communicate online about their exercise and diet. He said socialization helps promote good health since information coming from family and friends is more persuasive than health information that comes from an employer.

For instance, a friend or family members talking about a fun way to exercise or mentioning recent weight loss by eating healthier can persuade the employee into adopting better habits, Stevens said.

As more employers understand that healthier employees help drive financial success, Stevens said that more help will become available for workers who want to reduce stress and become healthier.

"In the past, employers looked at (wellness programs) as a sort of 'me too' program" and something they offered because the competition offered it,” he said. "Now they see it as a strategic benefit."

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