* From the e-Activity and the information found in the textbook about health challenges and managers’ responsibilities, recommend a resolution to the following scenario: Over the past 12 months, 10 employees in your agency of 200 employees have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses and this has caused the agency over $200,000 in costs related to insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability, sick leave, FMLA, and unpaid leave. Implementation of a comprehensive workplace health program would be ideal. However, to implement the program, the agency would have downsize (or lay off) at least 10% of the workforce and increase insurance costs for the remaining employees. Discuss at least one way to implement a health coverage program without downsizing or recommend a strategy the agency can implement to address a win-win for everyone
Two major challenges in controlling costs for disabled and chronically ill employees involve concerns whereby workplace employees are aging and are becoming less healthy. This also involves a greater challenge in that employers are faced with a greater number of chronic health challenges and a wider variety of diseases as well. Employers must realize that these aging workers are protected by the ADA which prohibits employers from exclusion of workers with mental and physical impairments. Therefore management must do whatever it can to keep these employees healthy and productive. A viable strategy for my agency or any other agency would be to implement a best interest policy and implement a positive workplace environment, where employees with severe health issues can feel comfortable in their work environment and not feel as though they might become ostracized. I would strongly suggest a comprehensive managerial training program where supervisors feel “encouraged in the application of those rights” (Riccucci, 2012) of ill employees