Worksite Wellness Begins with WWW
Trim the waist. Snuff out the cigarette. And thank the employer-provided wellness program for those extra years you’ve added to your life. Health claims are skyrocketing, and perceptive employers are taking steps to increase productivity and decrease absenteeism. For some proactive environments, wellness is synonymous with the workplace 9-5.
The need for wellness programs is staggering. According to a 2007 study conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine, obesity costs the nation $117 billion each year, and costs due to inactivity add another $76 billion. Healthcare costs that continue to climb at twoto three times the general rate of inflation (as reported by the US Department of Health and Human Services) demand attention.
Thanks to detailed health risk assessments, employers can see a return on investment as employees lower the number on the scale or decrease blood pressure. Companies reap the intangible benefits of presenteeism consistant work attendance as healthy employees use their newfound energy to enrich the working experience. Fewer sick days are logged.
Whether a wellness program includes telephonic coaching, on-line support, or even grocery lists downloaded to IPODs, putting health high up on the company agenda seems a practical choice. A commitment to wellness can turn a sluggish workforce into one that lowers health claims and raises the bottom line.