The Science Behind Effective Workplace Wellbeing Workshops
Workplace wellbeing workshops are becoming an essential part of the modern office culture, with many organizations offering various initiatives to improve employee health. However, not all wellbeing programs lead to lasting change. Research suggests that traditional wellness initiatives often fail to deliver long-term results. In contrast, workplace wellbeing workshops that leverage behavioral science have proven to be much more effective in creating sustainable health improvements. This approach emphasizes consistent, small steps that employees can take over time, supporting both their physical and mental wellbeing.
Behavioral Science Insights
Behavioral science offers invaluable insights into human motivation, decision-making, and habit formation. When applied intentionally, these principles can be foundational to the success of workplace wellbeing workshops, as they help to design programs that truly engage employees and drive meaningful outcomes.
Small, Consistent Steps: One of the key principles in behavioral science is the idea of small, manageable steps leading to larger, lasting changes. This approach focuses on offering employees consistent opportunities to learn and to take small actionable steps that add up over time. Research shows that consistency in small actions promotes greater adherence to wellness practices and leads to more significant long-term benefits.
The Power of Incentivization: Another core principle of behavioral science is the use of incentives to motivate participation. Gamification elements, such as point systems, badges, and rewards, have been shown to increase employee engagement with wellness programs. By offering tangible incentives for participating in wellness activities, employees are more likely to continue engaging with the program, which ultimately leads to better outcomes.
Group Learning: Humans are wired for social learning. We absorb information more deeply, reflect more honestly, and apply insights more readily when we learn in groups. In fact, research from the Journal of Educational Psychology shows that group learning environments improve engagement, motivation, and follow-through, especially when the topic involves emotional intelligence or behavior change.
Participation-Based Approach: Inclusivity Over Exclusivity
Traditional wellness programs often focus on a select group of employees, typically the top performers or those most committed to wellness. Think of your traditional step-count walking challenges that rewards people who already take a lot of steps rather than incentivizing action over non-action. While this approach can lead to short-term success for some, it fails to engage the larger workforce, leaving behind many employees who might benefit from these initiatives.
A participation-based approach, which emphasizes inclusivity, ensures that every employee, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to participate in workplace wellbeing workshops. This model fosters a culture of collective wellbeing and encourages employees to engage at their own pace, creating a more supportive environment.
Research consistently shows that programs designed with inclusivity in mind have higher participation rates and deliver better outcomes. Employees who feel welcomed and supported in their wellness journey are more likely to engage, resulting in improved overall health, morale, and team cohesion. By focusing on participation rather than outcomes, organizations can avoid creating feelings of competition or alienation among employees.
Why Hyper-Clinical Wellness Model Isn’t Working
For years, workplace wellness programs have taken a narrow, clinical approach. Think: biometric screenings, step challenges, and incentives to go to the doctor. But the data tells us this model is... underwhelming.
A 2019 study published in JAMA followed employees at 160 worksites and found that traditional wellness programs had no significant impact on clinical outcomes, healthcare costs, or job performance over 18 months. While employees self-reported some changes, there was little evidence of widespread impact on real health or work performance outcomes.
So what does move the needle?
The Real Drivers of Workplace Wellness
According to extensive research by Gallup, wellbeing at work that actually impacts an organization’s bottom line isn’t about pedometers or protein shakes, it’s about how employees experience their day-to-day life. Gallup’s global analysis identifies that the biggest drivers of thriving employees have less to do with Fitbits and more to do with work-life satisfaction:
Career – You like what you do every day
Social – You have meaningful connections
Financial – You feel in control of your money
Community – You feel connected to where you live and work
Physical – You have the energy to do what you want
And here’s the kicker: employees who thrive in all five areas are 81% less likely to experience burnout and 41% less likely to miss work due to poor health. Even more, Gallup found that employee engagement and wellbeing are mutually reinforcing, meaning one drives the other. Organizations that prioritize holistic wellbeing see measurable gains in productivity, retention, and morale.
So, if we want to design wellbeing programs that actually work, we need to start with what actually improves people’s daily work-life, not just their step count.
The Key Ingredient: Behavior Change
Wellbeing isn’t a product you can hand someone, it’s a practice. A series of choices that unfold slowly, to help people navigate the daily challenges of life with more ease and control.
And like any lasting transformation, it hinges on behavior change.
At On the Goga, we build our programs around the psychology of how people actually change. We understand that behavior change happens in steps, and we provide support at every phase using our SHIFT Framework:
Spark - Something clicks. A new idea lands. Curiosity lights up.
Hurdle - A challenge surfaces. “This is what’s getting in my way.”
Insight Gained - A new strategy or perspective emerges. Tools in hand.
First Step Taken - Action happens. A small move. A quiet beginning.
Traction - The shift becomes sustainable. A new rhythm takes hold.
Every challenge, every workshop, every email or resource we deliver is designed by experts to help people identify where they are in this process, and move to the next phase, engineering the conditions for small, meaningful actions that ripple into cultural change.
Workplace Wellbeing Workshops: Backed By Science
The science behind effective workplace wellbeing workshops shows that programs grounded in behavioral science are more likely to create lasting, meaningful change. By focusing on small, consistent steps, organizations can improve the health and productivity of their employees. A participation-based, inclusive approach ensures that all employees can benefit from the program, ultimately fostering a healthier and more engaged workforce.
Organizations looking to optimize their workplace wellbeing workshops should consider these science-backed strategies to create programs that not only meet the needs of employees but also contribute to the overall success of the company.
On the Goga workshops can reach dozens, or hundreds, of employees at once. They build momentum and community. They’re cost-effective, real-time, and human. In a single hour, people feel seen, learn something new, and take a first step forward. For companies looking to invest in wellbeing without adding more to people’s plates (or the company budget) this might be the shift that makes the difference. Download our Workshop Menu today to see which workshops will best fit the needs of your organization.
