Millennials and Employee Wellness

I feel sorry for "millennials" (those born from the early 1980s to around 2000). They're called every name in the book: lazy, narcissistic, apathetic, unemployable. But as the employer of more than my fair share of millennials, I'm happy to dispel this myth. Young people are some of our smartest, most dedicated employees.

A recent Aon Hewitt survey found that millennials share a particular set of attitudes about health. Many exercise and care about eating well, but they aren't necessarily attracted to traditional health management programs. They value healthy workplaces and are enthusiastic about wellness, but on their own terms.

As Dee Edington and others have said, keeping healthy people healthy is just as important as addressing those at risk. Wellness providers must work to engage participants of all ages. But employers should also take note: Young people are attracted to workplaces that support their health. If you want to recruit the best and the brightest, then nurturing a culture of health should be a top priority.

Now if you'll excuse me, my highest-performing employees are doing headstands and I'd like to watch.