Looking for a way to improve productivity and decrease health care cost? Increasing workplace wellness can be a good, solid start.
The fact that keeping employees healthy and fit can have a huge impact on the bottom line is not a new idea, as it has been realized that many employees spend most of their waking hours in and around the workplace and therefore is the greatest predictor of health.
In addition, in light of the recently proclaimed Safety and Health At Work Act 2005 pursuing programmes of this nature could promote a culture of adherence to sections of the act; an employer stands to benefit greatly from this.
You, as an employer, must first understand that you can play an integral role in improving and/or maintaining your employee’s health and wellness; this does not imply that you should be held personally accountable for your employees.
However, it is beneficial that the work environment created is one which perpetuates and stimulates individuals to practise and engage in activities which are beneficial to their overall health and wellness.
Wellness programmes need not be costly and employers can initiate internal health and wellness initiatives at little or no cost to the company. Most recently, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Barbados Employers’ Confederation and the Small Business Association initiated the Walk The Talk programme.
A health and wellness programme targeting employers, to help their employees get moving and get fit, it includes providing employees with pedometers to monitor their daily steps. To facilitate the effectiveness of the programme within varying businesses, it is being recommended that a “champion and/or champions” of the initiative be selected within the workplace.
These people will be responsible for promoting physical activity amongst their colleagues and superiors alike, whether it be by organizing exercise programmes for the business or promoting internal competitions for the most steps attained.
Large and small organizations are encouraged to join the initiative and the only cost incurred by the business would be the purchase of the pedometers.
Alternately, businesses can create wellness programmes on their own; employers can offer healthier food options at their facilities, whether it is in the cafeteria, vending machines or at catered events. In addition, employees can be provided with ideas for minor “on-the-job” workouts or “deskercise” workouts; simplified flexing exercises, which can aid employees in having more effective and productive days.
Where there is sufficient capital, companies can consider on-site fitness centres and/or showers to facilitate employees who may want to work out during the day.
Another option for employers is seeking to attain discounted healthy lifestyle programmes for their employees. These programmes can include gym memberships or weight-watching programmes.
Implementing micro or macro health and wellness programmes can result in the following advantages for businesses:
• higher employee productivity,
• decreased health care costs,
• improved attendance rates,
• happier employees,
• a positive effect on the bottom line.
With health care cost and absenteeism becoming increasingly problematic for employers, businesses are finding that it pays to help their employees stay healthy.
These types of programmes not only aid the organization and employee, but have the potential to help the nation as a whole become more active and healthy, an advantage that cannot be underscored.
Balancing busy lives and work can be challenging However, if you as an employer can aid your employees in making this venture easier, the advantages could be overwhelming for you!
• Brittany Brathwaite is a research officer of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation.