Johnson & Johnson's Health and Wellness Program

THE BENEFITS REAPED contd...

In 2001, J&J launched a ‘Health and Benefits'website that provided health and wellness information to its employees. By using an identification number and security code, employees were able to access the website from anywhere and at anytime.

The site provided links to disease management programs, health and benefits information and also aggregated health information from various health content providers. J&J also introduced an on-line Health Profile service that provided a confidential interactive health risk assessment with instant feedback.

The service aimed at identifying critical health risks of employees by maintaining their health profile and encouraging them to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle using Action Planning Guides. In 2002, in one of the most significant measures to improve the health of its employees in the US, J&J introduced an initiative – ‘Healthy People 2005'(Refer Table III).

TABLE III
J&J HEALTHY PEOPLE 2005 TARGETS

Indicator	Baseline*	Target
Smoking	12%	9%
High Blood Pressure	14%	10%
High Cholesterol	19%	15%
Inactivity	39%	25%

*Based on Health Profile results
1995-1999 Source: www.jnj.com

In this initiative, J&J quantified its health and wellness targets. It aimed to reduce four critical health risk factors of employees in the US including smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol and physical inactivity. All these efforts by J&J, contributed significantly in improving the health and well-being of its employees.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. There is growing evidence indicating that corporate wellness programs reduce medical costs of employees and improve the organization's productivity. In the light of the above statement, enumerate the benefits of HWP to both employees as well as employers.

2. Explain how J&J went about implementing HWP in the organization. What problems did the company encounter and how it ensured wider participation? Briefly explain the important components of J&J's HWP and how the company benefited after the implementation.

3. J&J continued with its efforts to make its organization a healthy workplace. In this regard, comment on the employee health-friendly initiatives undertaken by J&J in the new millennium.