Posted by Worksite Wellness | Posted in worksite wellness programs | Posted on 21-11-2008
Studies suggest that for every $1 invested in Worksite Wellness Programs, a company saves $3 to $5 in health and safety costs. Companies that invest in Worksite Wellness Programs reap the financial incentives through savings on medical care costs, disability pay, rates of absenteeism, turnover and safety problems.
worksites have already proven to be a great place to promote wellness. After all, people spend more time at work than doing anything else. Eighty-two percent of the U.S. population is linked in some way to a worksite. Therefore, providing Worksite Wellness Programs is a great way to reach a substantial number of people in your area.
Worksite Wellness Programs in Small Businesses
Unlike large organizations, small organizations often lack the resources to provide Worksite Wellness Programs to their workers. However, they may be the most in need of such services. Small businesses are the hardest hit by medical insurance costs and have the highest rates of substance abuse. Staff Member well-being and physical or mental illness can also be more disruptive in a small business environment. Worksite Wellness Programs in small organizations also makes sense because small firms employ the majority of working citizens.
Regardless of the size of a business, Worksite Wellness Programs can pay. Statistically, even if there are only 100 people in a company:
• 60 sit all day to do their work
• 50 don’t wear their safety belts regularly
• 50 feel they’re under moderate stress
• 35 are overweight by 20% or more
• 30 smoke
• 27 have cardiovascular disease
• 25 or more have high cholesterol (over 200 mg/dl)
• 10 are heavy drinkers
• 10 have high blood pressure
• 5 have diagnosed diabetes and another 5 have undiagnosed diabetes
• 7 use marijuana
• 1 uses cocaine
Bottom Line Worksite Wellness Program Benefits
At least one quarter of the medical care costs incurred by working adults can be attributed to modifiable health risks (e.g., diet, exercise, tobacco use, etc.) Fortunately, there is a way to hold back the trend. Growing research links an individual’s lifestyle behaviors to their health risk.
The good news is Worksite Wellness Programs can:
• Decrease medical care costs
• Decrease workers’ compensation claims
• Decrease worker rates of absenteeism
• Raise worker productivity
• Improve worker morale
The bottom line is that Worksite Wellness Programs can benefit any size business — small or large.