ISSN-L: 2223-9553, ISSN: 2223-9944 Vol. 4 No. 6 November 2013 Academic Research International www.journals.savap.org.pk 470 Copyright © 2013 SAVAP International www.savap.org.pk WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYEES’ ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT – EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PHARMACEUTICAL SETTING Syed Sikander Wali 1 , Muhammad Mohsin Zahid 2 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Wah Campus, PAKISTAN. 1 sikanderchistee@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Wellness programs have assumed great importance in the human resource management literature. The recognition of wellness programs as the key to organizational commitment has raised the importance of diverse empirical testing of the relationship between wellness programs and organizational commitment. This empirical study is conducted in pharmaceutical setting to find out the relationship of different components of wellness programs on employee commitment. Data analysis suggested significant relationship of wellness programs and the organizational commitment, with the exception of two components. Study indicates the varied preferences within the wellness programs which would support the efficient decision making while designing the wellness programs. Keywords: Wellness programs, organization commitment, Human Resource Management, pharmaceutical industry INTRODUCTION Wellness programs have the great importance in corporate world to attract, and retain the valuable employees and to build a strong image of the organization in the society. Thus it plays a role of preventive measure to the organization. Wellness programs encourage self- directed life style changes. Early wellness programs were aimed primarily at reducing the cost and risk of disease. Newer programs add to it and emphasize healthy lifestyles and environment including reducing cholesterol and heart disease risks and individualized exercise programs and follow up. Employer–sponsored support groups have been established for individuals dealing with health issues such as weight loss, nutrition, or smoking cessation. Wellness programs are designed to maintain or improve employee health for sustainable productivity and efficiency. Employers desire to improve productivity, decrease absence and manage health care cost have come together in the wellness movement (Chapman, 2003). Employers as a combination of educational and organizational offer, present the workplace wellness program and environmental activities designed to support behavior conducive to the health of employees in a business and their families as well. It consists of health education, screening, and interventions designed to change employees' behavior in order to achieve better health and reduce the associated health risks. Mathis and Jackson (2011) suggested that one method organization use as a wide way reply to health issues is the employee assistance program, one that provides counseling and other help to employees having physical or other personal problems. In such a program, an employee contracts with an agency, and employees who have problems contact agency either freely or by recommendation. LITERATURE REVIEW "Worksite wellness" refers to various initiatives implemented in a workplace environment to produce a healthier workforce. By systematically addressing the issues surrounding employee