...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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...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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...Wellness Programs Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Wellness Program The research conducted by Aon Hewitt on the best employers in Canada helped identify the best 50. The research was done by surveying employees and measuring their opinions the company’s leadership and management, career development, and recognition as well as productivity. Another research conducted by McLean Company proceed to interview the 50 listed companies top management to establish what they think made their employees gave the companies higher marks. The outcome of the research indicated that best perks, initiatives and other opportunities on offer such as wellness programs were considered important by employees. Two companies that owe part of their ratings to their wellness programs include the Co-operators insurance company and the ATB Financial services. This essay aims at looking at their wellness programs (macleans.ca, 2014, n.d) Wellness programs help both the employees and employers to be more productive and in turn increase the company’s human resource potential. Well and fit employees are known to establish a good rapport with their employers and thus enjoy their job which in turn means that their work morale is always at the peak. The program further helps reduce the costs of health care and tax benefits. The wellness programs can be offered on the employer's places or off-the-site. However, some companies are now offering both on-site and off-site wellness programs. These programs...
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...Employee Wellness Susan Pinto Abstract Over the last several decades, an epidemic of “lifestyle diseases” has developed globally: Unhealthy lifestyles, such as inactivity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and frequent alcohol consumption, are driving up the prevalence of chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic conditions. These conditions have become a major burden, as they lead to decreased quality of life and increased health care cost. Furthermore, these diseases were thought to be the problems that occurred in old age in the life cycle o fan individual thus resulting is low productivity and reduced performance at work. There is a rising concern over the health care coverage and the impact of this sedentary lifestyle on an individual’s health, organizations have adopted and are promoting employee wellness programs in the organizations. These are programs that encourage a particular diet, reducing stress levels and promoting work life balance among the employees. Employee wellness or Health promotion is related to disease prevention which aims at fostering better health through behaviour and lifestyle change at work. A broad range of benefits are offered under the label ’employee wellness’, from multi-component programs to single interventions, and benefits can be offered by employers directly, through a vendor, group health plans, or a combination of both. What is Wellness? Wellness is "an active...
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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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...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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...WELLNESS PROGRAMS SLOWED THE GROWTH OF HEALTH CARE COSTS Managing the cost of healthcare and retirement has been a main focus of HR professionals for quite some time. Preventive health and wellness benefits are designed to help maintain or change employees’ behavior in order to achieve better health and decrease health risks. By preventing or lessening the incidence of adverse health conditions, employers hope to save on long-term health costs. (Miller, 10) According to a study published in the March/April 2011edition of the American Journal of Health Promotion, when employers consistently offered a wellness program to their employees, findings of health care costs rose at a 15 percent slower rate among wellness program participants than a comparison group. The study, which focused on Highmark employer wellness group wellness programs, showed a savings of $332 per participant. This indicates that substantial savings may result for group customers once a worksite wellness program is established. Highmark is a health benefits provider which serves 4.7 million members in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and is one of the largest Blue Cross/Blue Shield independent licensees in the U.S. The results prove that keeping employees healthy is not only good for the business, but also for a company’s bottom line. The study also indicates that even small interventions, like online programs, can help have an impact on healthcare costs for those that participate. Highmark’s...
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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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...Health and Wellness in the Workplace Health Care costs are on the rise and present a threat to many Americans, and business corporations in the United States. Many Americans between the ages of 18 and 65 spend most of their days in the workplace. Health and wellness in the workplace is something that all businesses and major corporations should promote in the workplace to help educate employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many factors to consider although many business owners and major corporations feel that wellness programs are pricey and may or may not be beneficial for the employees. The researcher will prove that having a worksite wellness program will be beneficial in the long run and will promote a healthier work environment. Some factors that will benefit employers by having wellness programs are lower chronic illness rate, increased productivity in employees, increase moral rate and lower health care premiums. A health and wellness program is an employer’s approach to help improve employees’ health by providing wellness programs to include activities such as company sponsored exercise and weight loss programs. Many business owners and corporations will benefits by having health and wellness programs in the workplace. Having such programs will help employees prevent workplace illnesses, injuries, reduce obesity rate, as well as the use of tobacco, and lower the absenteeism. Health care cost presents a substantial threat to the U.S. economy...
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...Wellness Programs Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Wellness Program The research conducted by Aon Hewitt on the best employers in Canada helped identify the best 50. The research was done by surveying employees and measuring their opinions the company’s leadership and management, career development, and recognition as well as productivity. Another research conducted by McLean Company proceed to interview the 50 listed companies top management to establish what they think made their employees gave the companies higher marks. The outcome of the research indicated that best perks, initiatives and other opportunities on offer such as wellness programs were considered important by employees. Two companies that owe part of their ratings to their wellness programs include the Co-operators insurance company and the ATB Financial services. This essay aims at looking at their wellness programs (macleans.ca, 2014, n.d) Wellness programs help both the employees and employers to be more productive and in turn increase the company’s human resource potential. Well and fit employees are known to establish a good rapport with their employers and thus enjoy their job which in turn means that their work morale is always at the peak. The program further helps reduce the costs of health care and tax benefits. The wellness programs can be offered on the employer's places or off-the-site. However, some companies are now offering both on-site and off-site wellness programs. These programs...
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...right, not smoking, and filling out a health risk questionnaire” a sterling example of a positive, effective corporate wellness program. They conducted their own health surveys across 18,000 people, which revealed a tendency in high blood sugar, obesity, and high blood pressure. After this survey, they focused on prevention which included “not only the aforementioned financial incentive but easy access to health assessments, personalized consulting for nutrition and fitness programs, spending $25 million to ensure a healthier work and life balance” (12 Companies With Seriously Impressive Corporate Wellness Programs). International Business Machines Corporation has a well-being management system which “is a global, centralized system that links the company's occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, safety, wellness and health benefits, strategic initiatives and programs to IBM’s strategies covering manufacturing, research and development, sales and services worldwide” (Employee Well-being). I believe the company is doing a great job incorporating employees well being in every aspect of their business with their well being management system. They also have programs that not only benefit their employees but their families too. Overall I believe that IBM has a successful wellness program and that it does not need to improve upon in any of the areas of employee health and safety. They just need to frequently review their company’s wellness program for efficiency and productivity....
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...Statement Providing innovative and inclusive strategies that gauge employee desires and needs can be a critical factor in employee access to programs. Ensuring that employees have a clear understanding of program offerings can increase employee productivity, decrease employer health related costs and loss of outputs while increasing the knowledge and buy in of employees. If employees have limited understanding of benefit programs and the programs themselves are obsolete to employee needs and current trends, the sponsoring organization is wasting financial resources and contributing to the potential decrease in employee productivity due to unmet health and wellness related needs. Martocchio (2014), discusses the responsibilities of benefit professionals as providing assistance to employees surrounding education on the various options of benefit programs as well as their need for expertise in designing and administering benefits programs. He further discusses the importance of benefit professionals remaining current on trends and innovative approaches to practices and development of benefit programs. The text additionally states that many employees have minimal understanding of the wordage and regulations attached to the components of the benefits packages. Traditional approaches to developing and marketing health and wellness benefit programs in the organizational culture can prove to be financially costly to employers and unbeneficial to employees. Traditional approaches have...
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...Organizational Design on Health and Wellness Inc. l Health and Wellness Inc. The Department of Health and Wellness Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, originally called the Health Department of Fulton County; this organization was originally founded in the year 1955 through a legislative ordeal by the Fulton County State Board of Georgia. When this action took place, the Fulton County Health Department was placed with many types of services under the jurisdiction of the state government. This organization meets the goal of families, and individuals with obesity related issues. The Health and Wellness Department is a health agency for the public individuals in Atlanta, Georgia, which is under the operation/supervision of a local government (Health & Wellness, 2011). There are several services and a number of different programs that provide comprehensive health care services for the Fulton County residents of Atlanta, Georgia. The organization may have developed internal issues, the external factors makes the organization very successful and competitive with other organizations. The services and programs includes: health programs for women and children’s, programs for infectious disease individuals, and environmental health programs. There are many other services that are available, such as programs for individuals with different types of health problems that include heart attack and stroke victims and also programs for prevention of these illnesses...
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...The challenges and strategies for improving the national health as a whole will be to , increase the quality of individual life by making awareness and motivation to acquire knowledge over health .reduce and eliminate the disparities in the people that includes race , gender , ethnicity ,income and disability. The changes and policy strategies are designed to target whole national’s health rather than individuals by modifying physical and organizational strctures.example of such modification includes enhancing opportunities to engage in physical activity by providing onsite facilities for exercises. The educational and informational strategies attempt to build the knowledge to inform the necessity of optimal health practice. Information and learning experiences voluntary adaptations towards conductive behavior of health. This can be done by providing information in internet, posters, pamphlets, health and nutrition software’s and providing information regarding healthy diet and exercise. Behavioral and social strategies will influence the behaviors indirectly by targeting individual’s awareness, self – efficacy, perceived support and interntions.this can include social environment to provide support for the people to maintain weight changes. Such interventions can involve group behavioral counseling. The Vision of healthy people 2020: “A society in which all people live long , Healthy lives “, So the barriers to health service includes lack of availability, Increased cost, lack...
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