HR departments are committed to using new technology to promote health and engagement; the challenge will be making it a priority for the bean counters.
New research by Buck Consultants, A Xerox Company, and WorldatWork examined the current use and future potential for three key technologies: gamification, mobile apps and social media.
Among the three solutions studied, gamification is the most prevalent (62%) and ranks highest in employers’ perception of effectiveness. Thirty-one percent of employers say they will likely adopt one or more new gamification elements in the coming year.
Social networking is used by 50% of organizations but ranks highest in concerns over privacy of personal information.
Mobile technology is the least implemented (36%) but leads the pack as the highest priority for future adoption or expansion (40%).
The survey also found that while 73% of responding organizations have a health engagement strategy in place, measurement of communication effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) is lacking.
Nearly half of all respondents believe mobile technology will be the most frequently adopted technology by employers during the next two years, yet only 11% measure ROI on mobile apps and social media initiatives. Just 21% measure ROI on gamification technologies.
“The lack of measurement is due, in part, to the fact that many companies are using third parties, such as health insurers and wellness program vendors, to handle various aspects of their wellness programs,” said Lenny Sanicola, CBP, senior benefits practice leader, with WorldatWork. “These companies should direct their vendors to better engage employees and to collaborate on measuring effectiveness.”
By far the greatest barrier preventing organizations from using these new technologies is competition from higher-priority issues in their budgets (71% for gamification, 73% for mobile technology and 68% for social networking). Lack of support from senior management and the absence of a technique for measuring effectiveness were also identified as barriers across all categories. In addition, 43% of respondents said they blocked some or all social networking or social media websites from their organization’s computers.