Dr Jeremy Lim from Oliver Wyman shares key insights on implementing effective workplace health initiatives.

1. © Oliver Wyman
27TH OCT 2017
WORKPLACE HEALTH- “DO OR DO NOT. THERE
IS NO TRY”
Dr Jeremy Lim
MBBS, MPH, MRCS (Edin), MMed (Surg),
FAMS
Partner and Head, Health and Life Sciences
Practice, Asia Pacific Region
jeremy.lim@oliverwyman.com

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© Oliver Wyman

3. 2© Oliver Wyman
Question 1: Why is the academic literature so sparse on clear benefits of
workplace health and wellness promotions?

4. 3© Oliver Wyman
Results:
After 2,032 titles and abstracts were screened, 47 articles were reviewed, and 14 were accepted (4 strong
and 10 moderate studies). These studies contained preliminary evidence for a positive effect of some WHP
programs. Successful programs offered organizational leadership, health risk screening, individually tailored
programs, and a supportive workplace culture. Potential risk factors contributing to presenteeism included being
overweight, a poor diet, a lack of exercise, high stress, and poor relations with co-workers and management.
Limitations: This review is limited to English publications. A large number of reviewed studies (70%)
were inadmissible due to issues of bias, thus limiting the amount of primary evidence. The
uncertainties surrounding presenteeism measurement is of significant concern as a source of bias.

5. 4© Oliver Wyman
Question 2: Why are some companies so successful? And why is it so hard
to replicate?

6. 5© Oliver Wyman
Between 2011 and 2014, participants increased their activity levels from an
average of 21 to 106 activities per annum, with 83% of employees and
spouses completing at least one activity in 2014.
Since April 2012, McKesson employees and their spouses have attended
159,994 Weight Watchers® meetings and reported a net weight loss of
24,759 pounds.
Overall lifestyle risk for a consistent cohort decreased by 9%, even though
the cohort itself aged over time.
From 2012 to 2014, on-the-job performance increased by 3.65% from 81.69%
to 85.34%, with the highest increase seen for those with the highest increase
in engagement.
Independent assessments show that early savings exceed program
investment, without monetizing performance improvements. Third party focus
group results showed McKesson’s wellness initiatives significantly
enriched the overall benefits offering and corporate culture.
Andrea Feigl, ScD, MPH
Visiting Scientist
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

7. 6© Oliver Wyman
Question 3: What are the critical design principles for success?
Analyses of Vitality members’ outcomes suggest positive results from
concerted, coordinated workplace, incentive-based programs
“…incentive-based programs yield increased engagement in
physical activity during the intervention period by employing
basic behavioral economics principles such as loss aversion,
whereby incentives are framed as rewards to avoid losing,
rather than gains to achieve. This has proven to be effective,
especially over short and demonstrable periods.”

8. Key Messages

9. 8© Oliver Wyman
Key Message 1: Workplace health programs are easy to do badly
Credit: Baby Blues comic by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

10. 9© Oliver Wyman
Key Message 2: Senior leadership commitment is crucial

11. 10© Oliver Wyman
Key Message 3: Effective and cost-effective workplace health programs are
very difficult to realize

12. 11© Oliver Wyman
“You are what you do, not
what you say you’ll do.”
– Carl Gustav Jung

13. 12© Oliver Wyman
“DO, OR DO NOT…
THERE IS NO TRY.”
– YODA

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