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Employee Wellness

Every one of us wants to feel invigorated, be healthier, live longer. Your job as an employer is to tap that desire, and create a happier workforce with lower health care costs.

Facts:

  • U.S. healthcare costs doubled from 1990 to 2001 and are projected to double by 2012 Source: Partnerships for Prevention (an organization of CEO's dedicated to health promotion advocacy, www.prevent.org)
  • Four of the ten most costly health conditions affecting employers are related to heart disease and stroke. Employees with heart disease and heart disease risk factors cost employers thousands of dollars more than healthy employees each year through higher insurance. Source: Goetzel, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998
  • "Of the $5000 per employee the average employer spent on health care in 2001, more than 95% was spent on diagnosis and treatment, with maybe 2-3% being invested in early detection (screenings) and no more than 1-2% in prevention. This reactive approach persists despite evidence that up to 50% of health care expenditures are life-style related and therefore potentially preventable." Source: David Anderson, PhD reporting in Wellness Councils of America's Absolute Advantage 2003
  • The National Safety Council stated that in 1996, backaches alone cost industry more than $1.2 billion in production and services and $275 million in worker's compensation. Source: The American Council on Exercise, ACE Fitness Matters, January/February 2006

Employee Wellness Impact Business

 

How do company wellness programs affect a business's bottom line? Does the benefit exceed the cost of the program? There is more and more research on the fiscal advantage of providing a corporate wellness program. Here are some findings:

  • Employers who invest in worksite health promotion programs can see a return of $3-$6 for every dollar invested over a 2-5 year period. Documented savings are observed in medical costs, absenteeism, worker's comp claims, short-term disability and presenteeism (lower on-the-job efficiency due to employee health problems.) 
    Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, December 2005


  • There are over 600 articles that analyze the research and anecdotal evidence of the cost-effectiveness of worksite wellness programs. In a review of 42 of these articles, there has been shown to be a:

    28% reduction in sick leave absenteeism

    26% reduction in use of the health care benefit

    30% reduced worker's comp clams and disability management

    Reduced presenteeism losses

    Source: Larry Chapman, "Meta-evaluation of Worksite Health Promotion Economic Return Studies", The American Journal of Health Promotion, 2003

  • A recent study showed that corporate fitness center participants had 1.3 days fewer short-term disability claims per year per employee than non-participants and had fewer health risks. Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2006

The bottom line is important but there are many studies documenting the intangible advantages of a corporate wellness program. Here are some of the conclusions:

  • A wellness program can enhance and support an organization's core values and culture.
  • There is a documented relationship between healthy employees and worker productivity.
  • A recent study of 200 people at 3 major corporations revealed that an employee's quality of life, mental performance, and time management was 15% better on days when they exercised.
  • A wellness program that contains a component on self-care and proper use of the health insurance benefit leads to a more cost-conscious work force.
  • A high quality fitness and wellness program is an employee recruitment and retention tool. As more employers add wellness programs and on-site fitness centers to their benefit package, it is important to stay current and competitive.
  • Nearly 60% of all companies and 95% of large companies have programs designed to encourage individuals to take some responsibility for their health.
  • People spend more time at work today than any other place - employers can use this captive audience to make some serious healthy behavior changes.

How can I help?

  • By providing relevant programs to employees chock full of wellness information, tools and knowledge enabling them to better manage their health and health of their families, particularly in the areas that are impacting your medical claims. The more your employees know about the path to good health, the more likely they will take that path.
  • By motivating employees to assess their current state of health and readiness to change. Whether it is making sound food choices, getting more physically fit.
  • Because of my flexible approach and tireless dedication to your employee's success I do whatever ot takes to make sure the programs are successful.
  • There are team based challenges that can be organized with your company. These can be a fun and a rewarding approach.
  • I can work individually with employees to address any specific needs.
  • Luncheons on the topics of Fitness and Nutrition can be organized. These are a great method of demystifying the inaccuracy of information that is presented all around us.
  • Your company needs to be wellness committed and consistent. Having a well-structured, upbeat, on-going comprehensive wellness initiative can lead to positive health change and health risk reduction in your employees.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 20:41 )