Companies Make Great Gains with Employee Wellness Programs

Companies can benefit greatlyfrom adopting and maintaining employee wellness programs. Employee wellnessprograms can include things like health risk assessments, onsite health screening,health coaching, alcohol and drug counseling, mental health assistance, safetyin the workplace, preventing violence in the workplace and diversity education.The tangible benefits of employee wellness program which directly result ineconomic savings can best be seen in these four areas:

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1. Reduction in demand formedical services. Businesses that incorporate an employee wellness programsenjoy significant savings on medical expenses and other related costs.

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2. Reduction in employeeabsenteeism. Simply put healthy employees miss less work. This is anotherfactor that makes employee wellness programs a very cost effective maneuver.

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3. Reduction in on-the-jobinjuries and worker’s compensation costs. Employee wellness programs thateducate employees about workplace safety have fewer injuries on the job therebylower worker’s compensation costs.

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4. Reduction in DisabilityCosts. Healthy employees are less likely to require disability care. Withemployee wellness programs educating employees on health issues such as heartdisease, diabetes, mental health issues and work related injuries, awarenessleads to prevention.

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While these four benefits arecertainly persuasive in the argument for implementing employee wellnessprograms, there are other intangible benefits as well. Increased productivityis one area that can be easily overlooked. Studies consistently show thatemployees who engage in a wellness programs are more productive. Additionally,employees wellness programs help attract, recruit and retain the moreproductive and effective employees.

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Morale is boosted with employeewellness programs and employees feel more valued. They are also given a senseof ownership and are encouraged to take control of their health. This makes theemployee feel empowered. This adds to the increased productivity, but, more so,the positive attitudes and positive atmosphere that is created contributes toan overall better health.

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