Posted by admin | Posted in Workplace Health Promotion | Posted on 28-10-2008
Introduction to Workplace Health Promotion Programs
Risky health behaviors by workers cost a company. Changing those behaviors can save the employer money and raise the worker’s productivity.
Because work gives an worker a stable environment and support system, Workplace Health Promotion Programs can have a great impact on decreasing high-risk behaviors. This impact results in lower health claims cost, less absenteeism, and less short-term disability.
Workplace Health Promotion Programs can include:
Awareness Rasing Activities: Health and wellness newsletters, health topics covered in payroll stuffers, healthy emails.
Health Risk Assessment: Employee health screenings, health and wellness fairs, health risk appraisals.
Educational Programs: Lunch & Learn wellness seminars, guest speakers at staff meetings.
Skill Building: Healthy cooking demostrations, activity challenges, CPR instruction opportunites, stress management classes, weight management classes.
Interventions: Massage, tobacco cessation, and skills to help you get the most out of your doctor visit.
Physical setting: Healthy items in the vending machines and cafeterias, clean air practices, ergonomics, bike racks, flex time, welllit stairways.
Evaluation: Staff Member needs assessment, baseline Workplace Health Promotion Program evaluation measures, ongoing Workplace Health Promotion Program evaluation of overall effectiveness.
Why Make available Workplace Health Promotion Programs
The typical employer spends about $8,000 a year on an employee’s medical care. This includes health insurance, disability and worker’s compensation. As these costs climb, health insurance is expected to rise at least 10 percent per year.
A 1999 study showed that businesses using Workplace Health Promotion Programs had a return on investment from $1.49 – $13 in benefits per dollar spent. The amount depended on the nature of the Workplace Health Promotion Programs used. (S. Aldana, American Journal of Wellness, 2001; 15:296-320)
One study showed that a “stop smoking” element to Workplace Health Promotion Programs can save between $404 -$40,829 per employee, depending on the age and sex of the worker.
The Workplace Health Promotion Programs at Traveler’s Company included a self-care book, a newsletter, single-topic brochures, and videotapes. The Workplace Health Promotion Programs saved the company $7.8 million in employee benefi t costs, decreased doctor visits, and it decreased absenteeism by 1.2 days per worker per year. The estimated Workplace Health Promotion Programs ROI was $3.40 per dollar spent.
In 1998, the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) reported a study of 46,026 workers from six large companies for three years. Staff Members with an inactive lifestyle had 10 percent higher costs; workers with depression had 70 percent higher costs.
Benefits of Workplace Health Promotion Programs
Increased Productivity – The Canada Life Assurance Company realized a 4 percent rise in productivity after starting an employee fitness program.
Increased Job Satisfaction – According to employee opinion surveys conducted by the Silverstone Group about thier Workplace Health Promotion Programs, workers’ morale increased, which helped support a more creative work environment.
Enhanced Recruitment & Retention – In the midst of a tight labor market, Workplace Health Promotion Programs could be a vital tool to draw new recruits.
Decreased Absenteeism – Canada Life Assurance Company’s absenteeism dropped 42 percent among workers in the Workplace Health Promotion Programs.
Decreased Workers Comp & Disability – In one year, Boeing Company’s number of back injuries decreased by 34 percent. Six million dollars was saved by tracking injuries as they occurred.
Managed Medical Care Costs – Golden, Colorado Adolf Coors Company’s Workplace Health Promotion Programs returned $6.19 for every dollar spent.
