When it comes to workplace wellness programs, companies often focus on the individual employee. But health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The people we live with have an enormous influence on our daily choices. In fact, the World Health Organization calls the family the “primary social agent in the promotion of health and well-being.”
For employers, that influence presents a major opportunity. Extending wellness programs to friends and family can drive higher participation, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. Discover how extending fitness and wellness support beyond your employees can amplify your wellness investment.
Healthy Behavior is Contagious in the Workplace and at Home
Engagement is often the biggest challenge in workplace wellness programs. That’s where social dynamics can do some of the heavy lifting. Health is social, and the people around us often influence the choices we make. Studies have confirmed this, showing that everything from obesity and smoking to happiness can spread through social networks.
Just as unhealthy choices can ripple outward, healthy behaviors are also contagious, creating powerful momentum for change. A spouse who starts eating healthier or walking daily can inspire their partner to do the same. Friends who run, meditate, or join fitness classes often pull others along with them.
For HR leaders, this presents an opportunity. Allowing employees to involve friends or family in healthy habits can supercharge engagement. In fact, one analysis found that employees are twice as likely to participate in behavior-change wellness programs if their spouse is involved.
The Business Case for Including Family in Workplace Wellness
Extending wellness programs to spouses and dependents is a smart financial decision. Since companies typically cover insurance for both employees and their families, a dollar saved on a spouse’s health is just as valuable as a dollar saved on an employee’s.
By including spouses, domestic partners, or friends, employers can improve participation, reinforce healthy habits, and even improve work performance. Here’s how family-inclusive wellness pays off:
- The Spillover Effect: An employee’s well-being is closely tied to their family’s health. If a family is healthier and more active, it can reduce stress and conflict at home, which in turn allows the employee to be more focused and productive at work.
- Deeper, Lasting Engagement: Social support is one of the most powerful motivators for behavior change. Involving family and friends in fitness and wellness provides a built-in support system and accountability that can help employees stick with a routine, ultimately amplifying your ROI.
- Multiplying Your Benefit’s Value: Extending wellness options to friends and family makes your benefits package more attractive for recruiting and retention. It can also lower healthcare costs when family members adopt healthier lifestyles.
- Extending a Culture of Care: Supporting the health and fitness of employees’ loved ones shows a genuine commitment that can build loyalty and increase job satisfaction.
Coming Soon: Aaptiv’s New Friends and Family Feature
Extending wellness benefits beyond employees has never been easier. With Aaptiv’s new friends and family feature, employees will be able to invite loved ones to join their fitness journey, directly through the app. Each invited member receives:
- A separate account with full access to Aaptiv’s platform
- Exclusive access to the Aaptiv Gym Network (not available to the public)
- Thousands of on-demand audio and video workouts
- Expert-led programs for goals like running a 5K, building strength, or improving mobility
Available only through companies offering Aaptiv as an employee benefit, this feature multiplies the impact of your wellness program. Employees gain a built-in support system, families and friends get access to world-class fitness content, and HR leaders avoid extra administrative work, as the invitation process is entirely employee-driven.
By supporting the people employees care about most, companies can create healthier households and happier employees. With tools like Aaptiv’s friends and family feature, wellness becomes a shared journey, with benefits for all.
Learn more about Aaptiv employee fitness and wellness solutions.
