Fitt Insider's "Always On" issue puts a hard number on a soft problem: burnout costs the global economy $8.9T, per Gallup figures cited in the issue, and most large employers already offer wellness benefits. The catch is that offering a benefit and getting people to use it are two very different things. If your corporate wellness program is a login nobody opens, it is a line item, not an outcome.
The engagement problem, in the data
The issue cites a striking study: a review of 90 common workplace wellness interventions, from fitness apps to mindfulness classes to one-on-one coaching, found none delivered meaningful outcomes. Meanwhile 78% of workers say employers are not doing enough, per a survey referenced by Fitt Insider, and only 23% of employees feel engaged at work. The tools exist. Participation is what is missing.
A few employers are cracking it through culture rather than perks. Per the issue, apparel brand Represent reports its on-site gym engages half its workforce daily, Exos caps meeting duration to protect focus, and AllTrails reserves a day each month for hiking meetups. The common thread is social, shared movement, not another solo app.
Why money plus friends beats another wellness app
Cadoo takes the mechanic that actually changes behavior and packages it for teams: colleagues bet money with friends on reaching fitness goals, so participation is driven by real stakes and peer accountability. A recurring company challenge turns wellness from an unused benefit into a group activity people talk about at standup.
- Real engagement: money and teammates on the line move participation rates that a passive portal never will.
- Measurable: steps and distance sync from Apple Health and Google Health Connect, and the phone camera verifies bodyweight reps, so HR sees genuine activity rather than sign-ups.
- Between-meeting movement: recurring challenges break up the always-on desk day the issue warns about.
- Shareable culture: verified workouts become skinned videos that build team spirit and market the program internally.
Built for the modern, distributed workforce
The issue notes 99% of corporate leaders had removed fully remote policies by 2023, stripping many workers of valued flexibility, even as movement, sleep, food, and relationships remain the real pillars of a healthy life. A challenge that works whether an employee is at HQ, at home, or on the road meets a distributed team where it actually is.
Cadoo is an independent app, not affiliated with any brand named here. Employers and benefits teams can explore a program at Cadoo for corporate wellness or reach us at Tim@cadoo.io.
Frequently asked questions
Why do most corporate wellness benefits go unused?
They rely on individual willpower and offer no compelling reason to participate. Team challenges with money and friends on the line create social accountability, which is what drives real, sustained employee engagement.
How does Cadoo measure employee participation?
Activity is verified, not self-reported. Steps and distance sync from Apple Health or Google Health Connect, and the phone camera verifies bodyweight reps, so benefits teams see genuine engagement data.
Does a challenge work for remote and hybrid teams?
Yes. Because activity syncs from a phone and reps are verified on camera, employees can take part from the office, from home, or while traveling, which suits a distributed workforce.
Can our company run recurring challenges, not just one-offs?
Yes. Recurring weekly challenges keep employees consistent over time and help break up the always-on desk routine that fuels burnout, rather than delivering a single short-lived spike in activity.
