Unintended Consequences of Wearable Fitness Devices in Corporate Wellness Programs

In an effort to reduce insurance costs and improve the health and well-being of employees, corporations are using wearable fitness trackers in tandem with Corporate Wellness Programs. Research shows that CWP improve employee fitness levels, job satisfaction, and well-being. While prior studies indicate that wearable fitness trackers improve user well-being, the potential negative impacts or unintended consequences of introducing these devices in the workplace needs additional investigation. We conduct a case study at a company using wearable fitness trackers in its wellness program. Our initial findings suggest that introducing wearable fitness trackers to wellness programs has a negative relationship with job satisfaction and employee well-being. These findings have implications for wearable technology research and for practitioners utilizing wearables in the workplace.