...Health and Wellness in the Workplace Sandra Whitman Introduction to Research and Information Utilization Mr. Charles F. Millhollan March 29, 2005 Abstract Health and wellness in the workplace plays a vital role in a companies’ ability to not only keep their employees healthy, but also to keep the costs of absenteeism and health-care down. The most important asset to a company is not only their clients, but their employees. Companies are investing not only in their employees’ wellness, but also in their safety and fitness as well. In an effort to keep their employees healthy physically and psychologically, companies are incorporating employee-wellness programs into their work environment to ensure their employees maintain healthy lives. This research paper will focus not only on the physical impact that unhealthy workplaces have on employees but what different companies are doing to promote long-term wellness. Health and Wellness in the Workplace Employers are faced not only with soaring costs of health-care but also with the rising costs of employee absenteeism, and they are reevaluating what used to be purely a personal matter for workers (Kaplan-Leiserson, 2004). In a study conducted during the years 2000 – 2002, the rates of absenteeism remained essentially stable--2.1 percent in 2000, 2.2 percent in 2001, and 2.1 percent in 2002; the costs of paid unscheduled absenteeism rose sharply, not just in 2002 but also in 2001, when they jumped to $755 per employee...
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...Efficacy of Wellness Programs in the Workplace By: ??????? July 27, 2012 Dr. ??????? Abstract Workplace wellness programs are programs created to promote a healthy lifestyle among employees through exercise facilities, classes or seminars on nutrition, and exercise and health education. Wellness programs have been implemented by various corporations and firms. Larger corporations (minimum of 1,000 workers) tend to implement wellness programs to boost worker health, productivity, and, ultimately, reduce company cost for health care coverage. The United States Workplace Wellness Alliance was implemented in 2009 because of the need for wellness programs for corporations. A qualitative search from scholarly, peer-reviewed articles of employee wellness programs was conducted to assess the efficacy of the wellness programs. The results showed promising results of wellness programs, including decrease in company health care cost and increase in return on investments (ROIs). Workplace wellness programs have shown to decrease employee absenteeism, presenteeism, medical cost, and increase productivity. Background Wellness programs are a common part of the modern-day workplace. They were created for companies to cultivate wellness in their employees. Wellness programs are an essential part of corporations for various reasons. The most important reason is that healthy employees lead to greater productivity for a company and, ultimately, more revenue. Over the...
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...INTRODUCTION Health and wellness in the workplace is crucial to business success. Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier. When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity. Companies that promote healthy lifestyle habits for employees to improve their health, often take the success of the company to heart and are likely to be absent less often for health related reasons. Employers are now offering a wide range of wellness initiatives; such as health risk screenings and assessments, healthy food choices in cafeterias and vending machines; weigh management programs on-site at employers' expense, subsidized or discounted off-site fitness courses, smoking cessation programs, on-site massage therapy and health fairs. This research paper will focus on the physical impact that unhealthy or healthy workplaces have on employees and the different programs to promote long-term wellness. There can be several benefits received as a result of a wellness program. A workplace wellness initiative can help a company to: • attract and keep employees; • reduce the costs of disability, drugs, and absenteeism; • reduce the effects of a stressful workplace; • reduce health costs or keep them contained; and •...
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...Health and wellness in the workplace Octavio Ponce COMM/112 September 18, 2012 Karen Hamilton Health and wellness in the workplace Health and wellness programs in the workplace can greatly benefit the company and their employee’s at personal and business levels. It is no surprise that a manufacturing company cannot run an efficient business without their employees being present at the job site. However, with health cost steadily keeps rising and costing the company lots of money, they cannot afford to lose employees for health reasons. Today, employers are suffering more than ever of losing money, not just because of the economy but also of their employees. Employees are being absent from work due to their poor health and lifestyles. Employers are implementing wellness programs to help employees get familiar with other options in changing their lifestyle. The question the employers should be asking is; are we doing enough to ensure the health of their workforce? The majority would simply say; they don’t know. Today, more employers are implementing wellness programs to assist their employees, who aim to better the current health status of the employee and also reducing costs to the company. Encouraging employees is a top priority to start a wellness program on the right track, it is not easy to change employee lifestyle like increasing physical activity, eating habits, reducing stress, and ceasing tobacco use (Lastowka, 2011). The link between the health of the employee...
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...The Affordable Care Act & Workplace Wellness Programs 2014 Melanie L. Milner Texas A&M Corpus Christi The Affordable Care Act & Workplace Wellness Programs 2014 The Affordable Care Act was passed into law by the United States Congress and President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The overarching purpose of the Act was to allow individuals, families, and small business owners the ability to be in control of their own health care (PPACA, 2010). The Act permitted the establishment of the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council, with a focus on prevention and wellness within the public health spectrum (PPACA, 2010). The Council developed a health promotion strategy that prevented group health plans from discriminating on premiums and eligibility, and defined specific criteria, including financial incentives and wellness programs, which must be met in the effort to embrace wellness and improve employee health (Moran, 2013). The rules and strategies set forth by the Affordable Care Act that apply to wellness programs were revisited and reorganized, and became effective for insurance and benefit plans beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (Moran, 2013). The current regulations specify wellness programs into categories, require nondiscriminatory rules that offer alternative programs and waivers annually for those with health conditions, and increase the amount of monetary rewards permissible to those who meet a health related standard (Livingston...
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...Healthy Workplace Environment Option There are many different types of workplace wellness programs that can be offered to employees to encourage them to take steps to adopt healthier lifestyles. Some employers provide a comprehensive workplace wellness program; while others have very few activities that promote healthier lifestyles. Some workplaces may lack to provide and promote a healthy lifestyle. Investing in a company's employees, by providing a wellness program within the workplace, would benefit performance on the job immensely. Workers tend to be happier and more productive when they are feeling well, both physically and mentally. The welfare of employees has a fairly large and direct impact on the success of the company, since they are the company’s greatest assets. Workers are also more likely to remain with and appreciate an employer that values them. As stated in an article for Purdue University, “Numerous studies show that promoting wellness and disease prevention in work settings is effective in many ways, including increasing employee wellness and providing companies a return on their investment.” Companies can average a $3 return for every dollar spent on wellness programs. 1 Using a wellness program can make a positive change happen to each person who utilizes it. One will have more energy from eating healthy and working out to give more attention to their family and friends when arriving home from work. Not only will one be more able to complete their job...
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...Proposal to Implement an Employee Wellness Program at Electronics, Inc. Deena Lampe National American University Abstract This paper is a proposal to implement an employee wellness program for the employees of Electronics, Inc. This proposal contains background on the need for, and benefits of, instituting an employee wellness program, the importance of employee wellness and productivity, and educational needs of employees to maintain health and wellness. Attracting and maintaining personnel is crucial to an organization’s success and with current trends in the labor market, retaining personnel and ensuring business stability is a continuous challenge that requires conscientious human resource management. A happy and healthy workforce facilitates productivity through wellness and physical fitness. Proposal to Implement an Employee Wellness Program at Electronics, Inc. People in the labor force, are depended upon to follow through with work commitments. A healthy employee is able to do more and feel well enough to enjoy it. With high stress jobs, increased rush hour traffic, and demanding schedules, how can employers not be concerned about the health of employees? Research shows that, to maintain a healthy lifestyle balance, one third of a 24-hour day should be for sleep, one third for work and one third for play. The trend in today’s workplace is for employees to work longer hours and as a result, when they arrive home they do not feel like exercising...
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...am working. The company I work for already has an employee wellness program in place and is not state funded. Because the program already exists, a workplace wellness grant is not needed nor warranted from the bureau. The workplace wellness grant program proposal is to help mitigate and prevent health risk factors. Preventing and or decreasing health risk factors cuts down health costs verses waiting for an illness to appear and then treating the illness. The proposal is to provide employers with grants to fund a wellness program in order to decrease the amount of workplace injuries and illnesses. The grants will be awarded to state fund employers on a first come first serve basis. In order for the employer to be eligible, they must be up to date on all premiums, fines, assessments and administrative costs. The employer must maintain active state fund coverage in order to remain eligible. If an employer already has a wellness program in place, they are not eligible. My comment is that a workplace wellness program for state funded businesses would be very beneficial to the community. The proposed rule, 4123-17-56.1 - Workplace wellness grant program rule, will agreeably decrease costs associated with preventative measures to mitigate health risks. I agree with the process and eligibility requirements state funded businesses must present to the bureau for consideration. Many people need health advocates and the workplace is a great source for many. The deadline for public comments...
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...Employee Wellness Definition & Purpose of Wellness Employee wellness refers to any workplace sponsored programs that aim to help employees, boost morale, improve health and fitness and also improve productivity in the workplace. Advantages of Employee Wellness Program * Decreased Health Care Costs Many wellness programs have been proven effective in reducing company health care costs. This is because a healthy employee means no need to claim medical cost, thus minimizing healthcare expenses for the company. * Improve Workplace Morale When employees are healthy, therefore on the whole a lot happier, this would result in the employee giving better performance in his/her work. They also understand that the company is taking measures to ensure their health and wellbeing, this breeds loyalty and responsibility in the employee. * Reduced Absenteeism It has been showed that healthier employees spend lesser days away from work due to illness; this helps the company save money on down time and temporary employment. * Reduced Overall Costs With a reduction in sick leave, absenteeism and lower health costs, these will help contribute to a high amount of reduction in overall company cost. * Enhancement of Company Image as a Caring Company When an employer implements a wellness program, it demonstrates a commitment to its employees and shows a concern for their health and fitness. This is a sought-after benefit, and it may help an organization recruit and...
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...MEMORANDUM DATE: November 29, 2010 TO: James Martin, Director of Human Resources FROM: Name, Assistant Director of Human Resources SUBJECT: Wellness Program Recommendations for Technicraft, Inc. Attached is the report on the implementation of corporate wellness programs. Due to rising health benefit costs and a rising number of health benefit claims, you requested that I investigate the implementation of corporate wellness programs as a way to reduce company costs. In order to determine whether it would be possible to improve employee health and lifestyle habits, while also cutting company costs, I analyzed the results that several companies had after launching their own wellness programs. I also considered and researched the potential disadvantages of implementing a wellness program. After a thorough investigation of all of these factors, I recommend that Technicraft, Inc. implement a corporate wellness program in order to improve employee health and productivity and reduce or stabilize company health benefit costs. I have enjoyed researching this topic and would like to meet with you to discuss my recommendation. I will call you early next week in order to schedule a meeting time or you may contact me at extension 5555. WELLNESS PROGRAM RECCOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICRAFT, INC. Prepared for James Martin, Director of Human Resources Technicraft, Inc. 4501 West 92nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46260 Prepared by Name, Assistant Director of Human...
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...Corporate Health & Wellness Programs By Kerrie Ann Frey High insurance claims rates, rising healthcare premiums, increased absenteeism. One way corporations are tackling these issues is through wellness programs that encourage healthy habits and preventative care in its employees. “We were doing online assessments, giving an incentive to do that assessment, but we knew that we needed to get the employees more engaged,” explained Franck Labiche, Human Resources Director at Laitram. Headquartered in Harahan, Laitram is global manufacturing company with four operating divisions. With nearly 2000 employees worldwide, Laitram offers its employees a corporate wellness program designed to complement the company’s already existing health plan....
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...Wellness Program | Proposed to | | ByCelma Freitas de SaC0351156BUS 315 - Workplace Health, Safety and WellnessMarch 18th, 2016 | Table of Contents 1. Can Wellness Programs benefit employers? If so, how? 3 2. What is the real problem? 4 a) Developing the Survey 5 b) The Survey 5 c) The Survey Results 6 3. The Wellness Program 7 References 9 Appendix A 10 Appendix B 11 Appendix C 13 Appendix D 14 Appendix E 16 Appendix F 18 1. Can Wellness Programs benefit employers? If so, how? Studies show that it is indeed true that organizations can benefit from taking a holistic approach to their employees' well-being. Wellness is a hot topic nowadays, and workplaces all over the world are promoting it. Wellness is so beneficial to organizations that researches from NASA are saying that by increasing physical activity by just ½ hour for each employee per day will double employee productivity in the final two hours of the day (SonicBoomWellness.com, 2016). In addition, creating wellness programs can reduce the risk of employees slacking at work or feeling down, thus the amount of unproductive time might be significantly reduced. As a result, wellness programs can give the organization a greater ROI and consequently reducing health care costs (SonicBoomWellness.com, 2016). For example, if your average employee earns $50K per year, reducing lost productivity by just 15 minutes per day would result in a savings of $1,562.50 per employee per...
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...| Wellness in the Workplace | 11-24-2013 | Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 DEFINING WELLNESS 5 Employee wellness 5 WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE 6 How wellness impacts employees and employers 6 Organizations with wellness plans 7 Implementation of a wellness plan 8 Recommendations for a Marketing Agency 8 CONCLUSION 10 Works Cited 11 Executive Summary In this report you will learn about wellness in the workplace. The Government of Canada says that Canadians are becoming less well each year, this has resulted in more missed time at work and more money being spent by employers. This report will inform employers on the current wellness programs within other organizations, and how to implement their own wellness plan using some beginner strategies. If implemented correctly, these changes could impact the lives of their employees greatly. The health of Canadians is deteriorating at an alarming rate. 52.5% of Canadians are considered overweight or obese, only 53.9% of Canadians consider themselves physically active. Nova Scotia is the only province that reports a higher percentage of residents with diabetes than the national average, at 8.6% (The Government of Canada, 2013). Health related diseases are on the rise, as are insurance rates to compensate. It’s not just the physical health of Canadians that is deteriorating, it’s also our mental health. The number of Canadians suffering from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder...
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...Workplace wellness programs have gained an increasing spotlight in recent years with the introduction and eventual rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare. These types of programs are organized, managed or sponsored by employers with a focus on enriching the lives and wellbeing of employees by improving their physical, mental, emotional and occupational health through education and awareness. The design of these incentive-based programs encourage and reward health conscious behavior such as healthy dietary habits, physical activity, stress management and smoking cessation as well as other disease prevention measures by providing financial incentive or other type of rewards for changing health-related behavior or improving measurable outcomes. Providing or endorsing these types of programs and absorbing the costs associated with the products and services, there must be an incentive for the company as well. It has been touted that these programs have long-term, positive implications for companies such as reducing healthcare costs associated with workplace injuries and occupational complications, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, improving employee morale and enhancing the general culture and environment within the workplace. The American Heart Association has reported that by 2030, 40% of Americans will have a diagnosed cardiovascular disease and direct medical costs to society will rise from $278 billion to...
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...Obesity in the Workplace Dorothy Fitzsimmons Webster University Problem Over one-third of American adults are obese. This paper will research discrimination against obese people in the workplace and how companies are accommodating the obese employee and promoting healthy lifestyles. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), two thirds of Americans, age 20 and older, have enough extra pounds to face health risks (2005). Many Americans face bias and discrimination at their place of employment. Some have been told by their boss, "You're too fat" and been fired, even with good performance evaluations. Many overweight and obese individuals fear they may lose their jobs or make less than their coworkers. Some cannot get jobs, due to inequitable hiring practices. Employers can be prejudiced. They offer overweight employees lower salaries. Question If more than one-third of American adults are obese, this group of Americans Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30, per Center for Disease Control (CDC), how do we prevent discrimination against them in the work place? How do we help this group of Americans obtain gainful and fulfilling employment, as well as empower them to improve their health status? Our First Lady Michelle Obama has made obesity our countries’ number one enemy. The First Lady created “Let’s Move” as her platform for combating obesity in our country. Answer The workplace is evolving in understanding...
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