health articles business management businesses Marketing sales Technology Business finance Lean Manufacturing small business Investing articles employee health

Wellness programs for businesses

football60513952.jpg
Roughly 70% of healthcare costs are related to lifestyle. This includes many things, but such influential factors that influence health are things like diet, activity level, and tobacco use.

Because a person's lifestyle has such a large impact on their health, many employers offer wellness programs in order to help their employees recognize risky health behaviors and then make modifications to change them.

Wellness programs can include anything from free cholesterol screenings to smoking cessation programs. Oftentimes, these seminars and screenings take place within the company's office building, allowing all employees to take part.

Some programs offered by employers include:

  • Weight Management Programs. These are typically seminars and programs that offer tips on how to lose weight effectively and safely and keep it off permanently. Obesity is a contributing factor in many health problems, including heart disease and the onset of diabetes.

  • Smoking cessation. Smoking cessation programs help smokers learn to quit. Approximately 25% of all smokers will die of lung disease, and many also develop heart problems and mouth and throat cancers. Smokers have been shown in some studies to be less effective workers as well, as they tend to take more breaks than nonsmokers.

  • Health screenings. These often include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and in some cases body fat percentage as well. Oftentimes, these types of screenings are also accompanied with useful tips from professionals about how to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and body fat, three contributing factors to heart disease.

  • Relaxation techniques. Stress in the workplace is a real thing, and employers are recognizing and making an effort to curb this. Stress management techniques such as relaxation and visualization are taught, and some employers offer yoga classes or massages as wellness perks.

  • Cash incentives. Some employers even offer cash incentives based on a point system. By participating in and implementing the tools taught during the wellness programs, such as fitness and exercise classes, employees can earn points and redeem them for cash.

  • Discounts. Some employers offer on-site exercise rooms, and those who don't sometimes offer discounts to health club programs.

  • Safe lifting classes. In workplaces where employees have to lift heavy objects, classes teach them how to properly lift objects in order to minimize back and muscle damage.

  • Online wellness programs. Some insurance policies offer online programs that can help policyholders assess their own risks for certain diseases and conditions. In addition, some offer Live Chat messaging with healthcare professionals who can listen to symptoms and offer advice.

Wellness programs are a benefit to everyone. Studies have shown that most employees - about 82% of them - will utilize the wellness programs provided to them. When employees are proactive about their health and are provided the resources to reduce weight, quit smoking, and learn how to combat heart disease, they are more inclined to take active measures to improve their own health.

Employers also benefit from offering wellness benefits and programs to their employees. By promoting wellness, employees are less likely to be sick or hospitalized, and workplace productivity increases as well. A recent study profiled a company that offered a wide range of wellness benefits. As a result of their program, their health care costs were 14% below the national average, and their absenteeism was 27% lower. Implementing effective and useful wellness benefits are beneficial to all.

If you are considering wellness programs for your business, you are making a smart move.

,
FREE: Get More Leads!
How To Get More LeadsSubscribe to our free newsletter and get our "How To Get More Leads" course free via email. Just enter your first name and email address below to subscribe.
First Name *
Email *


Get More Business Info
Sponsored Links
Recent Articles

Categories

Copyright 2003-2020 by BusinessKnowledgeSource.com - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use