Corporate Wellness
It shouldn't be a huge suprise that a healthy workforce is a more productive workforce. Healthier employees are not only happier and more productive but they are less expensive to insure and put less risk on the company they work for. Investing in a workplace wellness program makes good business sense for employers because it will be crucial to managing their bottom line. Here are some shocking statistics:
70% of all diseases found and 75% of health care costs in the United States are the result of lifestyle related factors.
The leading causes of death in the US are preventable including-----1.) Tobacco Use 2.) Obesity and Physical Inactivity 3). Alcohol Use
Since 2000, health care costs have increased by an average of 12.8% per year.
At least 50% of employer profits are spent on health care
Employers utilizing wellness programs are experiencing reduced absenteesim, presenteeism, improved morale, reduced workers' compensation claims, and lowered health care costs. More companies are recognizing that worksite health and wellness programs are improving the health of their employees and ultimately saving money for both the employee, their family and the corporation. A recent study distributed by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans indicated that nearly two-thirds of employers (62% of respondents) currently offer health and wellness programs to their employees. Another 15% of employers plan to offer wellness programs in the next year to help control costs.
What is a Corporate Wellness Program?
Corporate wellness programs most often include early detection, disease management, preventative health, and on-site wellness programs to help employees prevent and manage medical illnesses and chronic diseases. To get employees enthused about living a healthier lifestyle and excited about participating in their wellness offerings, more employers are tying employee participation to incentives including cash, health insurance premium reimbursements, vacation days, and even trips!
Health risk assessments and screenings are very important and are the backbone to any effective wellness program. Health Risk Assessments (HRA) determine the company's employee population's health status and what types of programs are needed and meaningful to employees. In conjunction with HRA's, employers should offer onsite health screenings that provide employees data on their bloodwork and body composition (body fat percentage, height, weight, and BMI)
Learn more about Health Assesements and Screenings.
Worksite wellness programs incorporate multiple opportunities for employees to participate in for better health. In conjunction to annual health risk assessments and screenings the most effective include:
Incentives for participation (not just your typical t-shirt and water bottle rewards but health insurance discounts, cash, etc.)
Employee follow-up and coaching opportunities after health assessments.
Continuous health improvement programs (presentations, monthly newsletters, smoking cessation courses, etc)
Evaluation and measurement of return on investment (ROI)
“There’s no question that workplace wellness is worth it. The only question is whether you’re going to do it today or tomorrow and if you keep saying you're going to do it tomorrow you'll never do it. You have to get on it today!.”
–Warren Buffet, Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway.