Employee Wellness
Employees are among the greatest assets of an organization. Wellness programs have become essential to reduce absenteeism, reduce the cost of benefits as well as increase job satisfaction and production. With the growing incidence of overweight/obesity, diabetes and heart disease, now is the time to invest in the health and fitness of your staff for the success of your business.
Companies looking for the greatest return on investment implement wellness programs targeted to their employees with chronic illnesses. According to a 2012 study by the CDC, that was 47% of the workforce. Those 47% accounted for 86% of the health care cost. What does that number look like today? The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, for example, estimates obesity costs employers $506 per obese employee per year.
A targeted employee wellness strategy
• reduces claims
• reliance on prescription medications
• realizes a subsequent decrease in insurance premiums
This approach has great influence on the bottom line. The cost savings are even more profound when programs include at-risk employees as well as employees with identified health issues.
Employee wellness programs which focus on prevention provides all participants with the tools for optimal health. A needs assessment may include questionnaires and/or bio-marker testing. On-site opportunities for healthy eating and exercise or to learn options that fit into the busy workday are most effective since the workplace is where many adults spend the most of their day.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics requires three key components to classify as a wellness program.
• physical activity
• weight control
• nutrition education.
Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified Registered Dietitian Nutritionists among the most qualified and experienced to develop and present employee wellness programs. Specifically, RDN’s are trained in nutrition counseling and education, weight management and physical fitness.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Health Coach and Certified Personal Trainer, I have developed and implemented employee wellness programs in organizations ranging from 3 to 3000 employees. Medical nutrition therapy services provided by an RDN is cost-effective and has positive impacts on both physical and biochemical parameters. I have had the opportunity at a large company to perform outcomes studies and have been able to document successful changes in weight, blood pressure, glycemic control, cholesterol lowering and improved quality of life, key indicators of the success of a corporate wellness program.
According to a 2012 Gallup State of the American Workplace study, employees who rate a higher well-being have “41% lower health-related costs compared with employees who are struggling and 62% lower costs compared with employees who are suffering.”
Lunch and learns provide access to wellness programs during business hours without loss in production hours. Topics can be selected based on a needs assessment or polling of interest of participants.
Individual counseling sessions are most effective for providing education and support targeted to an employee’s specific needs and abilities while working with an individual’s lifestyle, food preferences, and exercise capabilities.
Group weight loss programs and wellness challenges provide an atmosphere of support, team-building, and comradery while providing positive role models. Lose It For The Last Time© is a ten week weight loss program which, based on behavior change, assists the participants in losing an average of 14-17 pounds during the program. Often, participants continue to lose weight after the formal program ends by continuing to incorporate the behavior changes they learned. Maintenance of weight loss after one year is 70%. Other health benefits of the program include decreased blood pressure, lower body fat, improved cholesterol, improved glycemic control, and smaller waist/hip ratio. Participants are required to attend weekly classes, follow a walking regimen and keep daily food logs. Coaching and feedback is provided via email.
Reducing obesity and chronic disease by improving nutrition and increasing activity can help lower health care costs through fewer doctor’s office visits, tests, prescription drugs, sick days, emergency room visits and admissions to the hospital.
Add in higher productivity, employee engagement, job satisfaction, employee retention, and morale and it is a win-win situation.