Reducing healthcare costs by improving employee health

The mental and physical well-being of employees is just as important as working within safety regulations. Not every problem at work stems from safety concerns. Many employers, realizing that prevention and intervention are more productive than dealing with the aftereffects, are more in tune with the emotional needs of their employees and have begun offering employee assistance programs to assist employees with mental and physical challenges.

Employers can help themselves and their employees with some simple steps to improve the overall health and well being of their office staff.

• Clean the office: It may seem like a simple task, but with 8.7 hours of lost work per employee attributed to the common cold each year, disinfecting is a big cost saver. Everything that gets touched frequently needs a little spray or wipe on a regular basis. Telephones, light switches, doorknobs, filing cabinets and keyboards are the worst offenders. Encourage your employees to wash their hands regularly and keep their areas clean.


• Emotional health of employees: Employers are starting to pay attention to the mental health needs of their employees. Since many people suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, and bipolar disorder, it is important to offer mental health services. Talk to your employees with mental health issues to make sure they are getting the medical treatment they need.


• Use sick time: For a minimal cost to the company, this benefit can add healthy happy employees, increase production and lower turn over rates. Suggest employees stay home when they are sick, and support your policy. Employees who feel like they will not face discipline for taking time off when sick are more willing to use it only when needed. The risk of infecting coworkers with colds and flu viruses is not worth the limited productivity accomplished by a sick worker coming in for the day.


• Exercise and eat right: Encourage employees stay active through participation in sponsored exercise programs or by joining a health club. Many athletic clubs offer reduced rates to employers who have multiple contracts. Offer free pedometers to the staff and see how many steps they rack up each week between offices, trips to the copy machine and by taking the stairs. Change up snacks for meetings and events to serving fresh fruit, nuts and whole grains rather than sugary treats. Keep a water cooler or bottled water around for employees? Easy access and teach employees about the mental and physical benefits of eating healthy and staying active.


• Health Awareness: Many employers are now offering wellness programs that encompass everything from simple healthcare screenings, support groups for weight loss and smoking to organized classes on nutrition, stress management and active lifestyles. One study has these programs showing that every $1 spent on programs can reap $3 in the business world.


• Minimize the cost of insurance: Easier said than done, we realize, but searching out insurance programs that meet the actual needs of your office will reduce the spread of infection in your office. Increased insurance costs can be daunting to employers and their employees but by getting new quotes each year from several insurance sources you'll ensure you're getting a fair price and the coverage you need for your office. Find the program that's right for your employees by talking to them and your insurer.

Not every program can sustain all these ideas. Different employees, business plans and budgets will necessitate the need to implement your plan differently, but taking time to find and use some alternative healthy activities can decrease the overall cost of healthcare, lost days from sickness or injury and will increase the mental stamina and morale of your office.