Health and Wellness Programs : Investment in Corporate Fitness, Wellness Pays Big Dividends.
High rates of worker turnover and the costs of sick days are increasingly taking bites into corporate profits. the high cost of recruitment programs only adds to the challenges that these problems in total cost the average organization.
A lot of organizations are finding the solution to these challenges by increasing job satisfaction, team building, and the implementation of programs that yield a reduction in these costs.
It has become increasingly clear to most managers that a well designed wellness/fitness program with a strong nutritional and fitness lifestyle emphasis will directly meet this need.
Management’s goals for a productive health promotion program should be viewed through the perspective of increased worker productivity, lowered absenteeism because of health related causes, improved worker morale, lowered utilisation of employer subsidised health benefits, enhanced team cohesion and effectiveness and a decrease in turnover because of lack of job satisfaction.
It’s apparent that an betterment in any of these areas will have a positive impact on the financial status of any organisation.
The benefits from an staff members point of view may be seen in improved health, increased energy levels, decreased body fat, a more youthful fit body, an increased ability to handle job related stress, greater feelings of confidence and morale and more social connections at work contributing to greater feelings of satisfaction with their work and workplace.
To be most productive a wellness program needs to achieve both managements and personnel objectives, and this may be accomplished through a program that will provide the individual staff member with an awareness of their current physical condition and attitudes to fitness and wellness, and the benefits of attaining a fitter, healthier lifestyle, and a plan that will allow them to achieve the necessary changes to their physical condition that may be applied in the context of their life and work.
The Bottom Line – Health Promotion Programs
Lowered Absenteeism – Dupont lowered absenteeism by 47.5 percent over six years for the participants of their corporate fitness program, (Health Behaviour, March 1992).
Lowered Health Care Costs – Steel case showed a reduction in medical claim costs of 55% for corporate fitness program participants over non-participants over a six year period – an average of $478.61 for participants versus non-participants who averaged $868.88, (The Am. Journal of Wellness, Sept/Oct, 1991).
Decreased Turnover – Turnover among fitness program participants at the Canadian Life Assurance Company was 32.4 percent lower over a seven year period compared with non-participants (Canadian Journal of Public Health, Jan/Feb, 1988).
Positive Return on Investment – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana found that its corporate fitness program had a 250% return on investment; $2.51 for every $1 invested over a five year period (American Journal of Wellness, March, April, 1991).
