Thriving Teams: Boosting Productivity with Wellness Programs

Presenteeism is a common problem in the workplace today. Workers may be physically present but not engaged. Experts now predict presenteeism costs employers two to three times what they pay in direct health expenses. Workplace wellness programs help combat this problem by increasing productivity. However, many employers fail to implement these programs.

Outline

• Why is Presenteeism Often Overlooked?
• Reduced Sick Leave
• Increased Engagement
• Top Talent Recruitment

Why is Presenteeism Often Overlooked?

It's easy for an employer to overlook presenteeism because it doesn't come with quantifiable costs. They see the expenses related to monthly healthcare fills and feel the crunch when these bills come due. This isn't the case with presenteeism. No check is written, and no money leaves the company's bank account. However, that may be changing.

Employers are recognizing the importance of addressing presenteeism today. They are implementing employee wellness programs and offering perks such as mobile massage to reduce presenteeism in the workplace. How do these programs benefit companies?

Reduced Sick Leave

Healthy employees use less sick leave. Poor employee health is costly in terms of high healthcare bills and absenteeism. Healthy workers are more engaged. Employers who offer wellness programs find their workers develop healthier work habits. Employees may engage in unhealthy habits; a wellness program can help them overcome them and be happier and healthier.

As part of these wellness programs, the company can share information on the adverse health effects of tobacco, caffeine, drugs, and alcohol. The program may cover topics such as healthy diets and exercise. When employees feel well, they miss fewer days and are more productive when they are present.

What many employers don't realize is that the program's impact extends beyond the worker. Healthy habits are often shared with family members. If the worker starts cooking more nutritious meals, all family members who eat these meals will see improved health. This means fewer days missed from work caring for sick relatives.

Increased Engagement

Healthy employees are less stressed and can better focus on their work tasks. These individuals are happier in their jobs, which shows in their overall work performance. Employee turnover becomes less of a concern because the employees are more engaged. Many employers offer workers incentives for participating in these programs, such as cash or gift cards, as they know healthy employees cost less in the long run.

Top Talent Recruitment

Companies find recruiting and retaining top talent easier when they offer employee wellness programs. Surprisingly, companies with an established employee wellness program, one that has been in place for at least five years, can recruit and retain high-performing workers. This holds even when the company lacks a conventional health plan.

Employees tend to be more loyal to employers who offer wellness programs. Companies must recognize this today, as the job market is highly competitive in many industries. Implementing and maintaining a robust employee wellness program will benefit the company significantly.

A company may find investing in an employee wellness program challenging, but doing so is essential. In the past, companies viewed these programs as an employee perk. Today, they see them as a strategic initiative. Federal healthcare legislation allows for tax incentives and grants for companies offering these programs. With the help of these incentives and grants, a company can control its healthcare costs. With an aging workforce and rising healthcare costs, controlling these expenses has never been more critical.