Workplace Wellness Program Tends
Corporations are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their health insurance programs, and the majority of businesses have been cost shifting, asking workers to cover more of their medical care costs. Health insurance costs continue to climb (10 percent or more per year) at 2-3 times the general inflation rate. With nowhere else to turn, companies are – more than ever – looking to get workers engaged in Workplace Wellness Programs as a means of slowing medical care costs and improving productivity.
For example, last year 53 percent of large companies offered Health Risk Assessments / Health Risk Appraisals for their staff, up from 35 percent just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Workplace Wellness Programs a win-win solution for both companies and workers.
Here are other Workplace Wellness Program trends organizations are implementing:
More businesses are integrating Workplace Wellness Programs into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest individual costs, they need to participate in the Workplace Wellness Program and meeting minimum goals.
More businesses are providing workplace weight loss programs as a component of the Workplace Wellness Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight workers and increased cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight workers.
Corporations are providing more Workplace Wellness Programs designed to assist workers with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides
Corporations are providing more web-based Workplace Wellness Program interventions and health information resources
More businesses are providing regular workplace employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a part of their Workplace Wellness Program. Some Workplace Wellness Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.
Many businesses are providing fitness programs, either in the community or workplace, as a part of their Workplace Wellness Program.
Corporations are providing more rewards, prizes and incentives getting engaged in Workplace Wellness Program activities
Some businesses are adding emphasis to maintaining health. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop tobacco; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping workers stay engaged and maintain their health changes is important for long-term success.
Corporations are putting more emphasis on keeping healthy people healthy rather than just working primarily with high-risk individuals. Research shows this approach results in a greater Workplace Wellness Program ROI.
Wellness businesses are providing great resources for businesss’ workers over the Internet – online wellness centers, monthly health and wellness newsetters, wellness challenges, web-based points tracking systems, virtual fitness programs, web-based wellness coaching or interventions, interactive health calculators, healthy recipes, even downloadable health tips for your iPod.
Corporations who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future medical care expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their comprehensive Workplace Wellness Program over the next 5 years!
Workplace Wellness Programs and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Wellness is more fun and costs less than treating disease.
References: TIME in partnership with CNN, “Businesses Help Workers Lose Weight.” Website accessed July 2007.
