|
 |
|
|
| Workplace Wellness Programs |
|
|
|
| Home » Articles |
|
| [ Back to Articles ]
November 4, 2011
Workplace Wellness Programs are employer-sponsored programs to provide employees with health and wellness benefits targeted to reduce health risks, promote work-life balance, and more. Research has shown that a healthy employee not only stays with the company, but also costs the company less money because they are found to aid in a decrease of worker’s compensation injuries, as well as the amount of time for personal injury/illness leave. But how does this benefit the employee? According to an article by G.E. Miller found on 20somethingfinance.com, in the U.S. 85.8% of males and 66.5% of females work more than 40 hours a week. The United States workforce is the only industrialized country in the world that has no legally mandated annual leave. Basically, we work….a lot! Working long hours can cause various types of stress on employees. Ultimately, it can and will affect your personal health. An employee wellness program is there to help prevent or manage those stresses, which can lead to burnout. Also, it can help to avoid taking your work home with you, promoting a healthy work-life balance. What types of programs are out there, you may ask? Companies today are utilizing different avenues to promote workplace wellness. One of the basic programs is the Health Risk Assessment (HRA). You may be asked various questions, including your height, weight, measurements, dietary choices, exercise/activity level, and even if you wear your seatbelt on a regular basis! The program takes this information and provides you with a personalized HRA. It will tell you the areas you are doing well in, and provide you with areas that need improvement. The assessment can also give you some advisement on how to fix the areas that need improvement. Another program that companies can utilize is providing discounted pricing for gym memberships, programs to promote healthy lifestyle practices, and various types of personal entertainment, which can also help to decrease stress levels. Happy employees are productive employees!! OAA offers Wellworks for You to all employees. Through this program employees are able to access many different health assessments, information on fitness and nutrition, lifestyle management, smoking cessation, and more. Employees are also able to participate in challenges (team and individual), such as a pedometer challenge that recently concluded. (Congratulations to the Sole Mates!) If these programs are made available to you, take advantage of them. They offer great opportunities to access resources you might otherwise not be able to utilize, provide opportunity for camaraderie, and health lifestyle motivation. Simply put, Workplace Wellness Programs benefit everyone! By: Amanda Youse, Work Injury Center |
|
|
|
|
