Companies and their employees seem to be in agreement on at least one thing: wanting a healthier workforce.

According to the Principal Financial Well-Being Index, participation in many employer-sponsored wellness programs is at an all-time high, suggesting that U.S. workers want improved wellness and are taking steps to battle rising health costs. Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group Inc. commissioned the study.

One the most significant findings of the survey is that participation in on-site health screenings increased to 79 percent from 68 percent between 2005 and 2006. During that same period, fitness facility use climbed to 60 percent from 38 percent in 2005, and 65 percent of survey respondents implemented a personal action plan for high-risk health conditions, up from 45 percent the previous year.

A majority of employees surveyed said that wellness programs encourage them to work harder and stay at their job longer.

“Although reducing benefits costs is often the fist reason employers consider implementing a wellness program, the results go beyond costs,” said Jerry Ripperger, Principal’s director for consumer health.