Why Workplace Wellness is Important.

Employee health affects more than just medical costs. A healthy workforce is a more productive workforce.

Employers play an important role:

Changing our behavior is ultimately up to each of us as individuals. However, employers have a tremendous opportunity to help their employees see the value of adopting healthier behaviors so that they can live healthier lives.

A workplace culture sets the tone for its employees. A supportive work environment, where managers reinforce a sound wellness strategy, can keep employees motivated and engaged. Wellness and incentive programs can be used to drive and reinforce healthy behaviors, bringing benefits to the employer, the employee, and to the community.

Employers may utilize a wide range of wellness initiatives such as smoking cessation programs, flu shots and health fairs, gym memberships, newsletters, and more. While some businesses have instituted very comprehensive wellness programs, others have achieved savings or increased productivity with just a few simple activities that promote healthy behaviors. What’s most important is to commit to wellness promotion in the organization.

So why is it, then, that employers over the years have not been quick to offer these programs? Many employers still seem to question whether or not workplace wellness is worth the investment.

As with anything, wellness programs present organizations with a set of challenges. Success is largely dependent on factors outside employers’ control: employee adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors, employees keeping health risks low, employees not getting chronic diseases, and employees not leaving the company. To reap the benefits of a wellness program, employers must maximize employee buy-in and participation.

Worksite health promotion should be viewed as an investment in a business’ most important asset, its employees. Studies show that employees are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are in optimal health. Benefits of implementing a wellness program include :

• Attracting the most talented workers

• Reducing absenteeism and lost time

• Improving on-the-job time utilization, decision making and productivity

• Improving employee morale

• Reduction in turnover

• Improved disease management and prevention, and a healthier workforce in general, both of which contribute to lower health care costs.

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