Posted by Worksite Wellness | Posted in worksite wellness programs | Posted on 25-05-2009
A Worksite Wellness Program is an organized program to assist and support workers in establishing healthier lifestyles. This may include growing employee awareness on health subject matters, scheduling behavior change programs, and/or establishing company policies that support health-related objectives. Programs and policies that reward increased physical activity, tobacco use prevention and cessation, and healthy food selections are a few examples.
Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness is more than physical fitness. In addition to physical fitness, the scope of optimal health include:
- Spiritual Wellness,
- Emotional Wellness,
- Social Wellness,
- Intellectual Wellness
These ranges are often depicted as a “life wheel” with examples of health components that include fitness, nutrition, purpose in life, monetary planning, social health & support systems, stress management, mind-body health, career planning and ongoing learning. The key behind personal health is keeping the “life wheel” in allignment. A comprehensive workplace wellness program addresses most, if not all, of these ranges.
Why Worksite Wellness ?
workers spend a great deal of time on the job, and the bottom line is that our traditional work-week is increasing. In fact, the average American now labors about 47 hours per week. In addition, items such as modems, laptop computers, cell phones, voice and email have confused the line between life and work. These realities decrease the amount of time that the average worker is able to devote to wellness and health pursuits, and yet workers are expected to be top of their game when at work.
A current study by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses saw that workplace wellness or Worksite Wellness are efficacious in helping workers to make positive health changes due to several factors such as convenience, environmental support, and co-worker or social acceptance.
What’s the Connection between Wellness and the Workplace?
Programs and policies that reward healthy behaviors have the potential to make a tremendous difference on employee wellness AND influence the company’s bottom line. Studies have shown that for every dollar invested by employers in Worksite Wellness /wellness programs, there were savings ranging from $1.49 to $4.91 with a median savings of $3.14*. In company jargon, that’s more than a 3:1 minimum ROI – a number that is tough to disregard, and a best practice that ought to draw serious consideration from employers. In fact, a Worksite Wellness Program literature review posted in Health Promotion Practitioner Journal saw:
- 19 different studies saw a 28.3% decrease in sick time
- 16 different studies shown a 5.6:1 ROI
- 23 showed a 26.1% reduction in medical costs
- 4 saw a 30% reduction in direct medical and workers’ compensation claims
There is little doubt that a comprehensive wellness program created to meet a company’s specific needs can save money by lowering absenteeism, lowering medical care expenditures, lowering employee turnover, and increasing productivity.
The United States Department of Health & Human Services, 2003