US expenditures for
health care reached $1.8 trillion in 2004 and continue to rise. The increase in the employer’s portion of the total
spending has been dramatic in recent years. Recent studies indicate that almost 50% of corporate profits now go for healthcare
costs versus only 7% three decades ago.
Employers are actively seeking new ways to reduce health care costs without jeopardizing their ability
to attract and retain workers. These factors have prompted many organizations to actively promote health and wellness at the
work-site. According to USA Today about 41% of companies currently offer incentives to encourage healthier lifestyles among
employees, compared with 34% in 1996. As an example, Johnson & Johnson reported that it spends $4.5 million each year
on its comprehensive preventive-healthcare programs but it estimates that without these programs their medical bills would
be at least $13 million higher.
Organizational
Benefits of Employee Health Education
By providing education to employees specifically on how to improve eating habits, reduce stress,
and increase healthy lifestyle activities like exercise, your organization will experience the following benefits:
• Decreased healthcare costs
• Reduced absenteeism
• Increased productivity
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Enhanced workplace community
• Improved recruitment and retention of high-achieving employees
Examples of Benefits Achieved
A
study at NASA found that while the productivity of non-exercising employees decreased 50% during the final two hours of the
workday, those who had an exercise plan in place worked at full efficiency all day. This represents a 12.5% higher overall
productivity level in exercisers as compared to non-exercisers.
Studies at Dupont
and General Mills, who implemented comprehensive wellness education and programming, found 14 - 19% reductions in absenteeism.
General Electric reported an astounding 45% decrease in absenteeism.
As a Certified
Health Counselor, I facilitate Employee Health & Wellness workshops. This workshop includes education on how to implement
better nutrition and life choices to create a healthier life, more efficient day, and reduced stress in the work environment.
It serves as a first step in allowing you to improve workplace health, and therefore experience many of the benefits described
above.
The workshop is a fun and informative
forum for the discussion of healthy living. I utilize an interactive approach to facilitate active learning and individual
empowerment. This approach allows participants to engage in discussion and interact with other attendees, through various
exercises and brainstorming. Participants also receive valuable giveaways to take with them, furthering their knowledge after
the workshop.
The workshop
is one hour in length, and may be presented at multiple times to allow for the varying schedules of your employees. A small
group format of 25-30 participants is recommended per workshop session. In this workshop, participants will learn:
the current state of health in
the US
foods
and lifestyle approaches that cause poor health
the effects of sugar on health and energy
how to make better food choices
at work and at home
how to improve lifestyle, including exercise and relaxation
ways to efficiently take action
towards achieving goals
options for having ongoing support after the workshop
Benefits to Employees
Educating
your employees about healthy food and lifestyle choices, stress reduction, exercise, and eating for sustained energy will
provide the following benefits:
• improved overall health
• improved
nutrition & healthier eating habits
• reduced stress & anxiety
• fewer food cravings
• increased energy & vitality
• increased daily satisfaction
Instituting
a comprehensive wellness program not only helps your employees but it also makes extreme financial and business sense!
To find out more about how I can help your business call 631-399-9421 today! There is no
better gift than the gift of health!
