Are wellness programs worth the money that you spend

In recent years, many companies have made the decision to drop wellness programs because they have turned instead to managed care health insurance plans. However, what these companies are failing to remember is that managing health care costs is one of the main reasons that wellness programs make economic sense. Wellness programs reduce the demand for medical services, but wellness programs also provide economical benefits for your business because they reduce absenteeism, reduces on the job injuries and workers' compensation costs, and they reduce disability management costs.

Numerous studies have been on how wellness programs can affect absenteeism. These studies that have been done have shown that employee absenteeism is reduced when wellness programs are implemented in their place of employment. According to a study that was done at Prudential Insurance, employees' calling in sick was 20 percent lower and the per capita costs that are associated with employees calling in sick were 32 percent lower after a business implemented a wellness program. According to that same study a business's medical costs also fell after implementing a wellness program, the average amount that the medical costs lowered was by 46%.

Another study that was done at the Providence General Medical Center showed that per-capita workers' comp costs were reduced by 83%. The study also showed that the business realized other savings because fewer employees called in sick, which reduced the amount of sick leave that was being taken and health care costs were lowered because people were not going into the doctor's office as much. What these studies have shown is that businesses can receive tangible economic benefits from implementing wellness programs. However, your business can also receive some intangible benefits from implementing wellness programs. These intangible benefits are very important to an organization's overall health.

One of the biggest benefits to operating a business that has healthier employees is that the business is going to see an increased amount of productivity. Another thing that wellness programs can do for your business is to help recruit and retain the most effective, and productive employees. This has been proven through a study that was done, which showed the employees who seek out companies with wellness programs tend to be the most productive employees. Having the most productive employees on your staff is a great way to increase the productivity of your business overall.

Another intangible benefit to wellness programs is improved employee morale. How this works is that by taking the time to offer your employees these wellness programs you are taking the time to tell your employees that you care about them. The wellness programs, which can range on topics, shows your employees that you want them to do their best ion both their work and their life and that to help them achieve that goal you are going to take an active role. Just by showing your employees that you care about them and are willing to work with them to help them achieve their goals you are improving their morale.

Perhaps the best part about these wellness programs is that in the long run they are going to save your company money. However, they are also one of the most inexpensive things that you can do to show your employees that you and your business is interested in your employees as a real person, not just as an employee. Not to mention that in the current economy with job security being reduced these programs also provide a spark of good will and send out the important message of self-responsibility.

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