Posted by Health Handouts | Posted in Health Handouts, Health Tips | Posted on 04-07-2009
Major advantages of healthy staff members include:
• Decreased Medical Care expenditures
• Reduced Injuries
• Lowered Rates of Absenteeism
• Increased Morale and Loyalty
• Higher Productivity
• Diminished Use of Healthcare Benefits
• Reduced Workers’ Comp/Disability
• Positive Image in Community
• Reduced Turnover
• Better recruitment for able employees
What is NOT Having a Employee Wellness Program Costing Your Company?
Consider the health risk factors that are exacerbating chronic diseases for adults:
• 59 percent of American citizens are overweight or obese
• Greater than 60 percent of American citizens do not get regular exercise
• More than 75% of Americans do not consume the minimum recommendations for fruits and vegetables
• Heart disease is the leading common cause of death and the leading cause of death in smokers
• 26% of employees stated they were frequently or very frequently burned out or stressed by their work
Medical Care costs are Rising: Medical Care expenditures are at a record high of $1.7 trillion with no signs of leveling out, let alone decreasing. The average expense of annual medical spending is over $5,000 per person and including dependents almost $10,000. Recent data shows that medical related costs now cost North Carolina companies thousands of dollars per employee, each year.
Most Illnesses Can Be Prevented: Although it sounds unrealistic, experts insist that avoidable illness makes up 60 percent – 70 percent of the entire burden of illness in the U.S.. In North Carolina, it is estimated that more than 53 percent of all deaths are avoidable, and that 2/3 of all avoidable deaths are due to tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition.
Stress Levels are On the Rise: As company resources diminish and businesses adopt leaner work practices, the effects of absenteeism and lost productivity have a greater influence. In a new nationwide poll, 78% of Americans described their jobs as stressful, and most believe that stress levels have increased over The previous ten years. In addition, high levels of company stress can adversely affect a company by rising injuries, absenteeism, and health care costs while decreasing productivity. Simple solutions such as stress management education, flexible work schedules, quality social interaction, and increased participation in company decision-making can better stress levels in the workplace.
What is the Upfront Cost and Time Investment for a Workplace Wellness Program?
The expenditure depends on the type of Employee Health Promotion Program implemented. There are several options to reward employee health with pros and cons of each. The program design depends on the goals and objectives of the wellness program, the corporation resources, and the neighborhood resources available.
Enhancing nutrition, increasing physical exercise levels, managing stress or addressing work life balance issues, and reducing/eliminating tobacco use, are primary strategies for preventing many of the most common avoidable chronic diseases. The possibilities of how your business addresses these issues are endless and can range from increasing employee awareness, which may include purchasing a few brochures on a variety of topics, and measuring walking distances around your facility, to starting business support such as funding a full-time occupational health consultant or building an onsite fitness center.
When well-planned and based on your objectives, any of these programs can help you succeed. Refer below to Company Wellness Program Design Options for additional ideas.