Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study

“Wellness programs save about 1.5 to 1.7 days in absenteeism per worker over 12 months, or an estimated $251 per employee per year in savings.”¹

In 2011, Sun Life announced its strategic alliance with Ivey Business School to conduct research on the return-on-investment (ROI) of workplace wellness programs for Canadian employers.

The increasing number of health concerns for Canadians has more employers considering workplace wellness programs. The first of its kind in Canada, this academically rigorous research study will aim to provide best practice learnings for employers, and help pave the way for future research. It is anticipated that the reports will provide much needed data on the potential impact and value that workplace wellness programs can bring to the long-term health and well-being of Canadians.

Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study timeline:

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Resources

	New! ROI Study Q4 2016 Update November 2016	Summary of the findings from this research study to internal stakeholders, plan sponsors, advisors and industry experts.
	New! Sun Life Bright Paper – Chronic disease in the workplace: focus on prevention and support November 2016	This Bright Paper addresses the issue of chronic disease, its impact on the workplace and how employers can mitigate the risk to their organization and support the health and wellbeing of their employees.
	ROI Study Q1 2016 Update March 2016	Sun Life is excited to share the latest from our preliminary findings.
	Ivey web resource – English only March 2016	Read an overview of the Phase 2 results on the Ivey website: Making the case for wellness.
	ROI Study Q3 2015 Update-EN September 2015	Past update on the progress of this research study to internal stakeholders, plan sponsors, advisors and industry experts.
	Ivey White Paper: Management behaviours drive workplace wellness program results: the SMIL model April 2015	Ivey Professor Michael Rouse and Shivani Parihar analyze and compile the literature that examines the vital role that leadership engagement and employee participation play in the success of workplace wellness programs.
	Ivey White Paper: Mindful Leadership: Cultivating Sagacity and Wisdom in the Workplace December 4, 2014	Ivey Professor Michael Rouse and PhD Candidate Ellen Choi examine the growing body of research supporting the benefits of mindfulness and offer practical advice on how the concept can be applied to leadership in the workplace.
	Ivey White Paper: Defining Workplace Wellness Programs: A Rapid Systematic Review October 30, 2014	This White Paper is part of a series that examines various topics related to the Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment (ROI) Study. Ivey Professor Michael Rouse and Julie Hind conduct a review of current literature on workplace wellness programs in order to develop a definition and facilitate a shared understanding of workplace wellness programs.
	ROI Study Q3 2014 Update-EN August 2014	Early update on the progress of this research study to internal stakeholders as well as interested plan sponsors, advisors and industry experts.
	Benefits Canada - Present and Accounted For? Oct 2012	Benefits Canada article addressing the problem of presenteeism at work. Briefly mentions the Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study.
	GB News Video: Lori Casselman Fall 2012	Three-minute video from Sun Life on this research study including updates on Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the study.
	More Wellness, Better Performance Spring 2012	Special Information Feature in Globe and Mail, making a business case for wellness and sharing findings from Phase 1 of the Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study.
	Canadian Return on Investment Study Overview April 2012	Introduction to the Sun Life-Ivey Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study and call to action for plan sponsors to participate in Phase 2 of the study.