In 2005, the American Journal of Health Promotion published findings of 56 studies on employer-sponsored wellness programs that showed a 27% reduction, on average, of absenteeism due to illness; a 26% reduction in healthcare costs; and a 32% reduction in disability and workers’ comp claims.
As healthcare expenses continue to skyrocket, more and more employers in Miami Lakes and throughout the U.S. appear to be implementing these wellness programs in order to reduce costs. For many managers and business owners, though, the thought of a wellness program conjures up images of an office gym and in-house nutritionist. Expensive stuff when you’re operating on a tight budget.
However, implementing a wellness program doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing costly proposition. You can take some small steps that can make a big impact on your employee’s health – and your bottom line.
Here are 14 tips to help you improve wellness at work:
- Advertise how to access free tobacco cessation resources and support
- Award bonuses to employees who quit smoking (Smoking cessation offers the most bang for your buck since, according to the CDC, male smokers incur about $16,000 more and female smokers incur about $18,000 more in lifetime medical expenses when compared to non-smokers.)
- Offer free flu shots at work
- Stock the work kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables
- Buy healthy food for meetings and company lunches
- Stock the vending machine with healthier – and less expensive – options like apples
- Make sure the cleaning staff sanitizes the common area regularly
- Post information about how to get cancer screenings
- Invest in a water cooler
- Compile menus from local restaurants that offer healthier options
- Install a bicycle rack for those interested in riding to work
- Post signs in the restrooms detailing proper hand washing (Don’t think this is necessary? According to the American Society for Microbiology, more than 90% of adults say they wash their hands after using public restrooms, yet just six in 10 were observed doing so.)
- Sponsor health and wellness seminars given by local experts, such as healthcare or financial planning professionals
- Start a walking club before work in the mornings
Also, if you’re considering implementing a wellness program, host a brainstorming session to get ideas from employees. They may offer some great insights or have access to resources (for instance, if a spouse is a nutritionist or doctor) that would help your team improve overall health and wellness.
If you’d like some more tips on cutting HR costs, contact Future Force. As a leading Miami Lakes staffing services firm, we can help you improve productivity and manage workflow fluctuations, all while limiting your overhead expenses. Learn more.