Improving employee health and well-being has many benefits for business. In addition to lowering health-care costs and reducing legal claims, wellness programs help improve worker productivity. You can institute a variety physical and mental health programs at your place of business to improve your corporate bottom line.
Diet and Nutrition
Poor nutrition can lead to diseases and conditions such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Offer healthy snacks and beverages in your vending machines, and nutritious meal choices in your cafeteria. Bring in guest lecturers to discuss cooking, diet and nutrition. Publish nutrition articles in your company newsletter.
Weight Loss
Overweight and obesity lead to a plethora of health problems and work-related cost increases. Lower back pain, which is exacerbated by the stress weight places on the spine and back muscles, causes workers to miss 100 million days of work annually, according to the Wellness Council of America. Put a fitness center or workout area on your property to make it easy for employees to exercise before or after work. Hire an instructor to lead workout classes at lunch or after work. Create a team-building wellness program that offers prizes for most hours exercised or weight-loss goals met. Pit department against department or management against staff, or combine people from different areas of the company who normally don't work together to create teams.
Smoking Cessation
A worker who smokes costs an employer approximately $1,300 more per year in health care costs than one who doesn't, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Techniques such as support groups, incentives and competitions can help you get more workers to stop smoking and remain smoke-free.
Pregnancy Counseling
Pre- and postnatal care for employees benefits you in two ways. It helps keep your employee healthy, and keeps her on the job, producing. A healthy newborn, meanwhile, requires fewer trips to the doctor and decreases anxiety, stress and loss of productivity if a new mother doesn't have to check email, make phone calls and send texts to deal with health problems. Provide literature for pregnant employees, asking your health insurance provider to supply you with any materials they may have. You might provide a library of videos, DVDs, CDs, pamphlets, books and other items for expecting mothers to borrow. Encourage partners of pregnant women who do not work at your place of business to check out materials.
References
- Wellness Council of America: Building a Well Workplace
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking Costs Nation $150 Billion Each Year in Health Costs, Lost Productivity
- "American Journal of Public Health"; Incentives and Competition in a Worksite Smoking Cessation Intervention; L. A. Jason et al.; February 1990
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