Workplace Wellness
Workplace wellness programs are an investment in your company's most important resource, your workers. Studies have shown that workers are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are feeling well both physically and mentally. Workers are also more likely to be attracted to, remain with, and appreciate an employer that values them. Workplace wellness initiatives improve company productivity by:
- Attracting superior quality staff;
- Reducing the rate of absenteeism and time lost;
- Enhancing on-the-job time utilization and decision making; and
- Improving worker morale, which in turn lowers turnover.
Workplace wellness programs have also been shown to be an effective tool in slowing the growth of health care costs. Selecting healthier options may reduce a worker's chances of suffering from illness. Less illness means businesses can lower health plan utilization, thereby lowering health benefit costs, and consequently increasing earnings. While health cost savings from workplace wellness programs may be less evident than productivity gains, research shows that medically high-risk workers are medically high-cost workers as they use additional health care and generate higher claims.
Finally, by investing in a workplace wellness program, businesses will be helping the United States achieve two of its major Healthy People 2010 workplace objectives:
- 75% of all employers, regardless of size, providing a wide
reaching staff workplace wellness program; and
- 75% of all a company's staff participating in employer-sponsored
workplace wellness program activities.
Workplace wellness facts:
- At least 50% of your organization’s health care costs are driven by the lifestyle-related behaviors of your employees, such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise.
- In the past 10 years, the annual return on investment for worksite wellness programs has been as much as $6 saved for every $1 spent
- The average reduction in health plan costs, sick leave, disability costs, and workers’ compensation is more than 25% for well-designed worksite wellness programs.
- Fit employees are more productive employees, with fewer sick days, fewer accidents, higher morale and lower job turnover.
To find out more about our health initiative or how to become a health and fitness partner, contact tracy@bcschamber.org.