Health & Fitness
Wellness at Work
By Cheryl Alker
Creating a high-performing, health-focused organization is a challenge that many companies face. Research indicates that organizations that implement a corporate wellness strategy gain valuable benefits through lowered healthcare costs.
With health care costs continuing to rise at alarming rates, it is more important than ever before to keep your employees healthy. Because of the many benefits of corporate wellness programs, most companies view wellness programs as an investment in their most valuable asset, their employees.
The Statistics are Clear
- Preventable illness makes up at least 70 percent of all illness and the associated costs.
- The total cost of obesity to U.S. employers has been estimated at $13 billion and rising.
- Obese Americans spend about 36 percent more on health services and 77 percent more on medications than people of healthy weight.
- Workplace alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use costs over $100 billion each year.
- Job stress is estimated to cost $200 to $300 billion annually in absenteeism, tardiness, and lost productivity.
The Workplace
The workplace is an ideal setting to address these health issues and promote healthier lifestyles. At the workplace, individuals can obtain health-related information, take part in health screenings and preventive services, and gain the social support often needed for positive change.
Return-On-Investment
The return-on-investment for corporate wellness programs is significant. Year-round comprehensive corporate wellness programs have shown savings-to-cost ratios of over $3 saved for each $1 invested. Corporate Wellness Programs not only uses targeted interventions to reduce health costs, but it is also a strategy to create a dynamic work environment. Health promotion programs create an organizational culture that fosters vitality, motivation, and synergy. Corporate Wellness Programs are a worthwhile long-term strategy to improving the health and well-being of your employees.
Why Obesity can Hurt Your Business
Sixty percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, 74% more than 20 years ago! Being overweight or obese makes people at great risk from health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Nearly two out of three people are overweight, and one out of three is obese. Less than 15% of Americans eat the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables, and less than 25% get the recommended amounts of exercise. Inactive lifestyles and poor eating habits are much of the reason our national cost of health care now exceeds two trillion dollars. These medical costs directly affect you as an employer, take action now!
Top FOUR Reasons why Your Company needs to implement a Wellness Program
#1 Decreased Health Care Costs
Healthier employee’s has proven effective in reducing company health care costs. Wellness Programs significantly reduce the high company cost of employee health care.
#2 Work Place Morale
If employee’s are healthy, they are in the main much happier; this equates to enhanced performance. Also because the company is taking measures to ensure their health and long term wellbeing the employee’s will be more likely to be loyal and responsible.
#3 Reduced Absenteeism
There are many small changes in lifestyle that can influence overall health and fitness. A Wellness Program identifies these, educates and implements them. Through education and training a Wellness Program can greatly reduce absenteeism. For your company this is the bottom line; reduced absenteeism equals a reduction in costs and an increase in productivity.
#4 Reduced Overall Costs
Employee Wellness Programs have a range of benefits for employers. Both quantifiable figures and intangible results highlight these. For the company as a whole, one of the most significant benefits is the reduction in overall company costs.
If you would like more information with regard to wellness programs that can easily be implemented into your business please visit www.24sevenwellness.com or call Cheryl at 561 889 3738.
Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 30 year career started as a group fitness and personal trainer, she has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a Governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, Florida, certifying health professionals in her results based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Alker has just released a DVD for back pain sufferers. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, e:books or DVD’s please call Cheryl on 561 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com or www.24sevenwellness.com