Published 10 November 2011
In these tough economic times, how would you like to increase your bottom line without reducing your prices, decreasing services, or laying off staff? The answer is… institute a comprehensive worksite wellness program. Not only will your shareholders love you but so will your employees. To the shareholders, it sends the message that you know how to adjust your business model to meet the changing needs of society. To your employees, it sends the message that you care. For the small business that can't afford health care, the message is even more powerful and meaningful.
Research has shown that comprehensive worksite wellness programs - whether you have on-site facilities or subsidize employee memberships at an outside establishment or offer a variety of educational workshops and seminars - are a proven strategy for impacting your bottom line and for improving the quality of service given to customers regardless of the nature of your business. They impact your bottom line because of the effect they have on your healthcare costs which can consume half of your profits. They improve the level of service you provide to your customers because when employees feel good they are more apt to provide better service.
Here are three compelling reasons for instituting a workplace wellness program.
Higher productivity and improved performance. Studies show that companies with an effective worksite wellness program can expect to see a reduction in absenteeism, fewer disability claims, and a significant reduction in healthcare costs. They can also expect to see higher productivity and improved performance not only because of this reduction in absenteeism but also a reduction in presenteeism, a term wellness advocates use to describe the "working sick". These are employees who are at work, but because of poor health, are not working at maximum capacity. Take Paula, for example, a long time employee in the deli at a well established supermarket. Over the years, she has earned the respect and admiration of her co-workers because she is the ultimate true team player - cooperative, dependable and hardworking. Lately, however, she has been having serious health challenges. She doesn't call in sick because she feels that, in spite of her tenure, this would make her vulnerable to a layoff. And, she needs the job. In the course of an 8 hour shift, however, Paula spends a great deal of time in pain. Her co-workers gladly cover for her because they understand her situation. Paula is one of the "working sick". She is on the job but not working at maximum capacity.
Presenteeism is costly; more costly than absenteeism. For example, a 2004 study by Medstat and the Cornell University Institute for Health and Productivity Studies found that on-the-job productivity losses from presenteeism were as high as 60 percent of the total cost of worker illness, exceeding the costs of absenteeism and medical and disability benefits.
Preventing and reducing absenteeism caused by poor lifestyle habits can go a long way and is critical to making a company more productive and cost effective.
Increased morale. There are several factors that contribute to low morale in the workplace. One of the most common causes, however, is the feeling of not being valued. Employees need more than survival and security from their work, they need to feel that they are valued; that you care. A worksite wellness program is an excellent way to demonstrate this. Instituting a worksite wellness program shows that you are taking an interest in the overall well-being of your employees. It sends a clear message that you care about your employees; that you value them; and that you are willing to invest in helping them to stay healthy. And, when employees know that you care and value them, they tend to be more productive, more creative, and happier. And, happier employees equal more satisfied customer as well as a healthier bottom line.
Improved Attitude. One of the ultimate goals of a wellness program is not just to reduce employee sick days, but to positively influence the attitudes and actions of employees. Healthy employees have more energy, less stress, communicate with others better, sleep better, feel better about themselves, and tend to be more positive. It is a well documented fact that employee attitudes have a significant, measurable impact on the bottom line; that employee attitudes can actually drive financial results.
A workplace wellness program may not solve all of the challenges an organization faces, it will most definitely have a positive impact. Leaders and managers across the United States are now realizing that employee health and wellness programs based in the workplace benefit everyone - employers, employees and their families. The bottom line is… healthy employees are happier and more productive!
