When creating a workplace wellness program for a company of any size, assessing the employees' needs is the first thing to consider.

Is there a need for an intentional eating program? Should there be sessions held about a tobacco-free environment? Would mindfulness training be helpful? Can we create an engaging wellness challenge that works for a global workforce of over 730,000 employees?

Marriott International recently tackled the last question head-on with the launch of TakeCare Level30, a custom-app based wellbeing challenge available for guests and associates around the world. The app is available for free download on the Apple App store and Google Play. In this app, players can partner up and compete by using the game-like app to help build positive, rewarding behaviors into a daily routine.

According to Dr. David Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Marriott International, “We established TakeCare as a wellbeing initiative many years ago to give associates easy, efficient ways to improve their health and happiness. Today, it has become a global movement fueled by a universal passion for opportunity, community, and purpose.” During the beta test of the app, players around the world have achieved a variety of tasks such as reading for over 37,000 minutes, meditated for more than 11,000 minutes, and consumed over 5,500 liters of water.

Marriott International is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 131 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. Given the size of Marriott and the number of people that they cater to, TakeCare Level30 is a perfect app to encourage employees and guests around the world to live healthy lives.

“TakeCare Level30 is an engaging experience designed with a partner in mind to complete a variety of wellbeing activities and earn points together. It’s always better to have a friend or colleague you can rely on for encouragement when making any kind of change,” said Leah Evert, Global Director of Associate Wellbeing at Marriott International. “We developed the app with the notion that it takes 30 days to build a habit. The activities are tied to personal wellbeing, connecting with others, and caring for the environment – all a part of what makes working at Marriott International so rewarding for associates – and achievable within 30 days.”