Almost half (45 percent) of American workers at small- tomedium-sized companies would stay at their jobs longer because ofemployer-sponsored wellness programs, according to the latestPrincipal Financial Well-Being Index.

With rising health-care costs a top concern, workers saywellness programs help them to improve their physical health andreduce stress thereby decreasing the number of sick days andreducing health care costs.

Fifty-one percent of workers believe wellness programs are veryor somewhat successful in reducing health care costs, according tothe index.

"Wellness programs are clearly a win-win, especially at a timewhen employers and their employees are more budget conscious," saidLee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Company, a subsidiary ofthe Principal Financial Group, in a released statement.

The survey found 40 percent of workers say they are encouragedto work harder and perform better and 26 percent miss fewer days ofwork by participating in such programs.

Furthermore, 47 percent of workers surveyed would participate ordo participate in wellness programs to achieve better healthoverall.

Most workers are interested in wellness programs that improvetheir physical health - 27 percent would like in-office fitnessfacilities, 23 percent want fitness center discounts and 19 percentexpress interest in weight management programs.

Principal Financial says significantly more workers (15 percent)gained access to fitness facilities in fourth quarter 2009 comparedto 11 percent in fourth quarter 2008.

However, workers remained concerned their health plan willchange. The survey found 34 percent expect their medical planoptions to change in 2010 compared with only 23 percent in2009.

Top reasons for participation in wellnessprograms:

• Reduced personal health care costs (30 percent)
• Greater chance of living longer and healthier lives (30percent)
• Receiving employer incentives for participation (28percent)
• Reduced stress (28 percent).

The index, which surveys American workers at growingbusinesses with 10-1,000 employees, is released by the PrincipalFinancial Group and conducted by Harris Interactive. These findingsfocusing specifically on wellness attitudes and behaviors amongAmerican workers were taken from the fourth quarter 2009Index.