Making the Case for Wellness Programs.
Major advantages of healthy staff members include –
• Lower Health Care Costs
• Decreased Injuries
• Lowered Absenteeism
• Increased Morale and Loyalty
• Higher Productivity
• Reduced Use of Health Care Benefits
• Lowered Workers’ Compensation / Disability
• Positive Perception in Community
• Lowered Turnover
• Better recruitment for skilled employees
What is NOT having a Wellness Program costing your company?
Consider the health risk factors that are increasing chronic illnesss for adults –
• 59% of adults are overweight or obese
• More than 60 percent of American adults don’t exercise regularly
• More than 75% of adults do not consume the minimum recommendations for fruits and vegetables
• Heart disease is the most common cause of death and the leading cause of death in smokers
• 26% of staff members stated they were often or very often burned out or stressed by their work
Healthcare Costs are Increasing – Healthcare costs are at a record high of $1.7 trillion with no signs of holding steady let alone decreasing. The average cost of annual healthcare spending is over $5,000 per individuals and with dependents nearly $10,000.
Recent data shows that healthcare related expenses now cost North Carolina corporations thousands of dollars per worker, per year.
Most Illnesses can be Prevented – Although it sounds unbelievable, specialists indicate that preventable disease makes up 60% – 70% of the entire burden of disease in the U.S.
In North Carolina, it’s estimated that more than 53 percent of all deaths are preventable, and that 2/3 of all preventable deaths are due to tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.
Stress Levels are Increasing – as business resources become less and businesses adopt leaner work practices, the effects of absenteeism and productivity lost have a greater impact.
In a recent national poll, 78 percent of American Citizens described their jobs as stressful, and the majority felt that stress levels have become worse over the last 10 years. Furthermore, high levels of organizational stress can adversely affect a company by increasing injuries, absenteeism, and health costs while reducing productivity.
Simple solutions like stress management education, flexible work schedules, quality social interaction, and increased participation in company decision-making can improve stress levels in the workplace.
What is the Upfront Cost and Time Investment for a Wellness Program?
The cost depends on the type of Wellness Program implemented. There are several options to promote worker health with advantages and disadvantages of each. The program design depends on the objectives of the wellness program, the business resources, and the community resources available.
Improving dietary practices, increasing exercise levels, managing stress or addressing work life balance issues, and reducing/eliminating tobacco use, are main strategies for preventing many of the most common preventable chronic diseases.
The possibilities of how your corporation addresses these issues are endless and can range from increasing staff member awareness, which could include buying a few flyers on a variety of topics, and measuring walking distances around your facility.
Other possibilities include establishing organizational support such as funding a fulltime occupational health professional 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 Wellness Program Design Choices for more ideas.