Bottom Line Benefits
of Worksite Wellness Programs
Studies have shown numerous benefits of corporate
wellness and fitness programs. These benefits include:
- Improved decision-making
- Improved efficiency
- Reduced mental errors
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced disability time
- Reduced employee turnover
- Increased recruitment and retention of high achievers
Here
are some examples of successful corporate wellness programs:
- Caterpillar offers a Healthy Balance Program aimed at motivating
workers to make positive changes to reduce their health risks and improve
their long-term health. The company projects long-term savings for this
effort totaling $700 million by 2015.
- Motorola offers wellness and work/life programs that reach
45,000 employees, family members and retirees across the country.
The efforts include disease
management programs, flu immunizations, cancer screenings and other
health screenings, smoking-cessation programs and a 24-hour nurse
telephone
line. The company reports saving almost $4 for every
$1 it invests in its wellness benefits.
- Northeast Utilities offers a WellAware program to employees
and their families to reduce lifestyle-related health risks.
The program includes
a health-risk assessment and targeted follow-up efforts, such
as smoking-cessation counseling and rebates for purchasing smoking-cessation
aids. During
its first 24 months, the program reduced claims related to lifestyle
and behavior choices by $1.4 million.
Source: Prevention
Makes Common Cents HHS Report on the Impact of Poor Health on Business,
September, 2003
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