In This Post:
Presenters:
Alex Greenberg
Vice President, Business Development
Workplaces are changing quickly. To make returning to the office better and build a stronger sense of community, many companies are adding wellness programs. These programs help employees feel healthier and more connected. Employers and office owners are turning offices into active, welcoming spaces that boost employee involvement, help attract new talent, keep current workers, and lower costs.
Last week’s webinar highlighted a well-rounded approach to employee well-being, focusing on accessibility, personalization and building community. We heard from Alex Greenberg, Vice President of Business Development at Optum Workplace Well-being, who shared a variety of programs that support physical, mental and social health at work.
The session explored how fitness spaces and programs can be designed to support whole-person wellness. Alex also introduced a fitness and wellness app that brings together gym memberships, wellness content and a national gym network on one easy-to-use platform. Other services—like health promotion, mental health first aid, wellness coaching and community-building activities—help meet the unique needs of each employee and encourage everyone to take part in their well-being journey.
About Optum
Optum Workplace Well-being, a leader in employee wellness solutions, offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to foster a more engaged, resilient workforce. As part of the broader Optum enterprise, its mission is to help organizations cultivate meaningful employee engagement – particularly in wellness offerings and physical activity – through accessible, personalized experiences that inspire healthy habits and long-term participation.
Wellness as a Business Strategy
As shared in the webinar, employers are increasingly maintaining, or even boosting, investment in employee wellness, despite economic pressures.
Why? The ROI is clear. Healthy employees are more productive, contribute to a more positive work environment and take fewer sick days. Optum’s proprietary claims data analysis shows active fitness participation (100+ visits annually) is correlated with a 46% reduction in claims costs per member per month (average $2,415 per annum). When wellness is present in company culture, it strengthens employee retention, lowers healthcare expenses, and improves employer branding.
When employees see their peers being recognized, it sets a standard and cultivates a sense of shared achievement.
A Comprehensive Suite of Services
What differentiates Optum’s strategy is its seamless integration of physical, mental and emotional health into one cohesive experience. Instead of isolated programs, Optum provides a comprehensive range of services—including population health coaching, ergonomics, mental well-being support and nutrition counseling.
This approach is deliberate. As wellness becomes a strategic priority, employers are increasingly looking for holistic solutions that meet the diverse and changing needs of their workforce.
The Power of Community
Optum’s “One-to-Many” experience is a group-focused initiative designed to foster connection, motivation and shared wellness. The program offers a wide array of activities—from structured interval walks, sunrise yoga and energy circuits to more creative and playful options such as gardening clubs and book circles. This diverse lineup makes wellness more accessible and inclusive.
Even traditional sports have a place. Group activities like volleyball, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, and team fitness challenges promote camaraderie, reduce stress, and support both mental and physical well-being.
One-to-One: Personalized, Targeted Care
While group programs build culture, personalized interventions are key to meaningful behavioral change. Optum’s “one-to-one” model features targeted wellness tracks like Eat Smart, Healthy Heart, and Stress Less. These are offered in individual, tandem and small group settings, ensuring people get the right level of support at the right time.
Whether an employee is managing diabetes, recovering from an injury or aiming for weight loss, programs are tailored to meet them where they are. Goal setting, biometric tracking and referral pathways provide structure and accountability, while trained staff support every step of the process.
Self-Guided Wellness: Flexibility at Scale
Another compelling theme of the webinar was the rise of self-guided wellness, enabled by technology. Through a customized, all-inclusive app, users can access over 10,000 on-demand resources, including sleep improvement plans, mobility exercises, nutrition advice and mindfulness training.
This self-paced model is crucial in the era of hybrid and remote work. Employees who may not be on-site still benefit from comprehensive support, no matter their schedule or location. Integration with wearables and gym equipment provides real-time insights and motivation.
Responding to Market Needs
The solutions shared in the webinar are deeply aligned with emerging workplace trends. Employers today are asking for:
- Recovery and social spaces that help teams recharge and reconnect
- Virtual physical therapy and ergonomics support for hybrid employees
- Fitness tracking tools that encourage healthy competition
- Membership and program management systems that simplify logistics
- Mental Health First Aid training to build resilience and awareness
In response, companies like Optum are redesigning corporate wellness to be more adaptive, data-driven and inclusive. From pop-up yoga sessions to app-based reporting, the future of workplace well-being is both high-touch and high-tech.
Get in touch with Optum today!
The future of workplace wellness is about creating experiences that inspire behavior change, build community and support whole-person health. The insights from this webinar on Physical Health made it evident: it’s time to move beyond basic benefits and design wellness programs that meet people’s real needs.
Whether through group activities, individual coaching, or on-demand digital tools, employers have a powerful opportunity to help employees feel better, move more, and thrive – both in and out of the office.
Interested in learning more?
Connect with corporate wellness expert:
Alex Greenberg – alex.greenberg@optum.com.
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