Pro-Change was recently tapped by HERO to act as lead research analyst on the recently launched HERO Scorecard Engagement and Retention Study. They will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of experts, including MRA, Inc. who is acting as a consulting statistician, the Institute for Positive Organizational Health, which will conduct a literature review to inform the study, and the HERO Research Committee, who will provide oversight of the study.
The research will involve data collected from HERO Scorecard completers between 2014 and 2017. The HERO Scorecard is a free, online tool for employers of all sizes that allows them to assess their wellness program initiatives based on a defined set of industry best practices for improving employee well-being. Companies that complete the HERO Scorecard receive a score for each best practice area, as well as a cumulative score. They also can access national benchmarking data to see how their program compares to other organizations completing the Scorecard.
According to Jessica Grossmeier, Ph.D., Vice President of Research for HERO, earlier research demonstrated a correlation between companies that perform well on the HERO Scorecard and those that demonstrate strong financial performance, as well as a connection between best practices and healthcare costs. More recent analyses conducted by HERO Scorecard collaborator, Mercer, identified a relationship between HERO Scorecard scores and employer-reported turnover rates.
Some of the best practice areas that are defined in the HERO Scorecard and the impact of which may be measured in the HERO Scorecard Retention and Engagement Study include:
- a company mission/vision statement that supports a healthy workplace culture;
- senior leaders who consistently articulate the value and importance of health;
- the presence of policies that support employee health and well-being;
- a built environment that supports well-being;
- senior leaders who support well-being;
- employee involvement in decisions about well-being program content;
- use of wellness champion networks to support well-being programs; and
- support for mid-managers and supervisors in attempts to improve well-being.
“We are thrilled to be joining this esteemed group of collaborators to examine which specific best practices are most predictive of turnover and perceived organizational support. The results of this study will have important practical implications for employers and health promotion practitioners” said Dr. Sara Johnson, Co-President and CEO of Pro-Change.