Employee Wellness programs such as Yoga can help reduce stress and increase productivity in the workforce.
According to Forbes, about 60% of all companies in the US had some form of the wellness initiative set up as of 2014. The figure is up from 36% recorded in 2009. A study by a non-profit think tank specializing in workplace matters has placed the cost of designing and implementing programs across the US at $6 billion a year. Today, most of the companies buying into the idea of employee wellness programs are looking to either contain or lower the cost of medical care as envisaged in the comprehensive Affordable Care Act of 2010. For every dollar spent on keeping employees healthy, a study conducted in 2010 indicated that companies saved $3 each in healthcare costs and reduced expenses from absenteeism. Absenteeism remains a serious concern for employers in the US.
According to a Healthline report, the country lost $2 billion in 2016 as a result of employees missing work due to sickness or injury. The 5 health conditions that contributed to these losses are namely; diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking. To stem the tide, companies are increasingly encouraging workers to undergo screenings in order to identify the risk factors causing chronic conditions. Once the risks are identified, necessary measures to reduce or eliminate the risks can be taken. The most popular lifestyle management activities included in wellness programs include: nutrition classes, yoga classes, gym memberships, smoking cessation and weight loss programs. Programs designed to assist workers suffering from conditions such as diabetes and heart issues are also popular. In spite of the good intentions, studies have shown a huge disparity in the cost of running certain wellness programs such as those focused on helping people quit smoking, eat better and exercise more. These programs generally cost more money compared to the expected savings.
Strategies to implement wellness programs
Employees working for companies with well-entrenched wellness programs enjoy numerous personal benefits, including healthier lives, higher workplace productivity and reduced health care expenses. However, successful implementation of wellness programs at the corporate level requires serious thought and investment.
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The success of a wellness program is not only dependent on cost savings, but also on the level of employee participation and how well the program is grounded. Employers and employees can learn a lot about wellness programs and the legalese involved from seasoned lawyers with real industry experience. The Hunter Law Group has years of experience dealing with the potential legal consequences for companies who neglect the health of their employees. The Tampa, Florida based practice specializes in personal injury and family law. As a personal injury attorney in Tampa, the lawyers of Hunter Law Group have vast experience in representing clients involved in car accidents, workplace accidents, medical related malpractices, traumatic brain injuries and slips and falls.
According to Small Business Trends, companies can effectively implement wellness programs by:
1. Selecting comprehensive programs
A great wellness program should ideally cover all the key areas that affect the lifestyle of workers. These include stress management, healthy eating habits and maintaining a healthy workplace. The other crucial areas of focus include financial and mental health.
2. Engaging employees
Programs that encourage results rather than higher uptake should be encouraged because they usually promise far reaching implications. For instance, employers can ask employees to pass biometric screenings in order to be eligible for health insurance discounts. This strategy is far more effective than just dishing out membership to the gym. It has been established that programs that are engaging and interactive by nature often inspire workers to exercise more, lose weight and lead healthier lives.
3. Marketing the program aggressively to employees
Besides setting up well-meaning wellness programs, employers need to actively promote a culture of good health and wellbeing. Some of the most effective marketing strategies to consider include sending periodic newsletters, weekly or monthly email notifications, or posting information on bulletin boards and the staff training portal.
4. Promote healthy eating and financial health
Companies can bring in nutritionists to teach workers how to prepare, cook and stock healthy foods at home and the workplace. These tips are often useful for saving money as well. To this end, employees should be encouraged to become savvy investors and savers. It is important to recognize that financially stable workers often experience less stress and are able to concentrate more on what they do compared to those who are unstable.