Studies suggest that for every $1 invested in Employee Wellness Programs, a corporation saves $3 to $5 in health and safety costs. Corporations that invest in Employee Wellness Programs reap the financial incentives through savings on health 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 United States population is linked in some way to a worksite. Therefore, offering Employee Wellness Programs is a great way to reach a substantial number of people in your area.
Employee Wellness Programs in Small Companies
Unlike large companies, small companies frequently lack the resources to provide Employee Wellness Programs to their staff members. 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 setting. Employee Wellness Programs in small companies also makes sense because small firms employ the majority of working citizens.
Regardless of the size of a business, Employee Wellness Programs can pay. Statistically, even if there are only 100 people in a corporation:
• 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 Workplace Health Promotion Plan Benefits
At least one quarter of the health 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 Employee Wellness Programs can:
• Lower health care costs
• Lower workers’ compensation claims
• Lower staff member rates of absenteeism
• Raise worker productivity
• Improve staff member morale
The bottom line is that Employee Wellness Programs can benefit any size business — small or large.
