We believe the success of this program is due to the power of group dynamics.
Insta360, a Shenzhen-based technology company based in China, has won acclaim for its unique employee wellness program, which encourages weight loss by offering bonuses totaling about $140,000.
The program, which launched in early 2023, boasts impressive results: According to Jiupai News, more than 150 employees have successfully lost a combined weight of 800kg and earned around $100,000 in compensation.
Structured like a weight-loss boot camp, the program lasts for three months and involves 30 employees per session, with priority given to obese workers. Each session is split into three groups, with bonuses awarded based on the average weekly weight loss within each group, the South China Morning Post reported.
The program's success is due to the power of group dynamics: no participants gained weight during the camp, highlighting the extra motivation the program provides.
“Having a group adds a moral dimension to the employees,” says staff member Lee. “If you don't lose weight, it will affect not only your bonus but also the bonuses of your colleagues.”
Li, who joined in November 2023, was attracted to the program for both its financial and health benefits: He lost 17.5 kg and earned 7,410 yuan (US$1,000) by combining a controlled diet with daily exercise including running, swimming and basketball.
The initiative received a lot of praise on Chinese social media.
“What an amazing company. I want to work there,” one user wrote.
Another user commented, “I run 10km every day, but a company with employees like me would go bankrupt soon.”
