Major benefits of healthy personnel include –

• Lower Healthcare Costs

• Decreased Injuries

• Reduced Absenteeism

• Improved Morale and Loyalty

• Higher Productivity

• Reduced Use of Health Care Benefits

• Reduced Workers’ Compensation / Disability

• Positive Perception in Community

• Lowered Turnover

• Improved recruitment for skilled employees

What’s NOT having a Wellness Program costing your company?  

Consider the health risk factors that are increasing chronic conditions for adults –

• 59 percent of adults are overweight or obese

• More than 60 percent of American adults don’t exercise regularly

• Greater than 75% of adults don’t consume the minimum recommendations for fruits and vegetables

• Heart disease is the most common cause of death and the leading cause of death in smokers

• 26 percent of staff reported they were often or very often burned out or stressed by their work  

Health Care Costs are Increasing –  Health Care costs are at a record high of $1.7 trillion with no signs of holding steady let alone decreasing.  The typical cost of annual healthcare spending is over $5,000 per individuals and with dependents nearly $10,000.  

Current data shows that healthcare related costs now cost North Carolina businesses thousands of dollars per worker, each year.

Most Illnesses can be Avoided –  Despite the fact that it sounds unbelievable, experts indicate that avoidable illness makes up 60% – 70% of the entire burden of illness in the U.S.    

In North Carolina, it is estimated that more than 53 percent of all deaths are preventable, and that 2/3 of all avoidable deaths are because of tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.

Stress Levels are Increasing –   as corporation resources become less and corporations adopt leaner work practices, the effects of absenteeism and productivity lost have a greater impact.  

In a recent national poll, 78% of American Citizens described their jobs as stressful, and the majority felt that stress levels have become worse over the last 10 years. Moreover, high levels of organizational stress can negatively affect a organization by increasing injuries, absenteeism, and healthcare costs while decreasing productivity.  

Simple solutions such as stress management education, flexible work schedules, quality social interaction, and increased participation in company decision-making can improve stress levels in the worksite.

What is the Upfront Cost and Time Investment for a Wellness Program?

The price depends on the type of Wellness Program implemented.  There are several choices to promote employee health with advantages and disadvantages of each.  The health promotion program design depends on the objectives of the health promotion program, the organization resources, and the community resources available.  

Improving dietary practices, increasing exercise levels, managing stress or addressing work life balance issues, and reducing/eliminating tobacco use, are primary strategies for preventing many of the most common preventable chronic illnesss.

The possibilities of how your business addresses these issues are endless and can range from increasing staff member awareness, which can include purchasing several pamphlets on a selection of topics, and measuring walking distances around your facility.

Other possibilities include establishing organizational support like funding a fulltime occupational health specialist or building an onsite fitness club.  

When well planned and based on your goals, any of these wellness programs can help you succeed.  Refer below to Wellness Program Design Options for more ideas.