Health And Wellness In The WorkplaceHealth And Wellness In The Workplace

A Workplace Health Promotion Program is an inclusive program to assist and support workers in implementing healthier lifestyles.  This could possibly include growing employee awareness on health issues, scheduling behavior change programs, and/or implementing employer policies that support health-related objectives.  Programs and policies that promote increased physical activity, tobacco use prevention and cessation, and healthy meal selections are a few examples.  

Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is more than physical fitness.  In addition to physical fitness, the ranges of good health include:

   • Spiritual Dimension of Wellness,
   • Emotional Dimension of Wellness,
   • Social Wellness,
   • Intellectual Dimension of Wellness

These dimensions are frequently illustrated as a “life wheel” with examples of health dimensions that include fitness, diet, purpose in life, monetary planning, social connections & support systems, stress management, mind-body health, career planning and ongoing learning.   The key to personal health is keeping the “life wheel” in allignment.  A comprehensive workplace wellness program addresses most, if not all, of these dimensions.

Why Workplace Wellness Programs?

staff members invest a whole lot of time working, and the reality is that our traditional work-week is growing.  In fact, the everyday American now works about 47 hours every week.  Plus, technologies such as modems, laptop computers, cellular phones, voice and email have made vague the line between life and work.  These realities diminish the amount of time that the average individual is able to spend on wellness and health pursuits, and yet staff members are predicted to be top of their game when at work.

A current study from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses observed that workplace wellness or Employee Health Promotion Programs are thriving in supporting workers to make beneficial health changes due to several factors such as convenience, environmental reinforcement, and co-worker or social acceptance.  

What’s the Association between Wellness and the Workplace?

Programs and policies that promote healthy lifestyles are able to make a sizable difference on employee wellness AND effect the organization’s bottom line.  Studies have found that for each dollar invested by employers in Workplace Wellness Programs/wellness programs, there were savings between $1.49 to $4.91 with a average savings of $3.14*.  In organization jargon, that’s more than a 3:1 minimum ROI – a number that is hard to overlook, and a best practice that ought to warrant serious consideration from employers.  In fact, a Workplace Wellness Program literature review posted in Health Promotion Practitioner Journal found:

   • 19 studies observed a 28.3 percent decrease in sick time
   • 16 different studies shown a 5.6:1 ROI
   • 23 showed a 26.1% decrease in medical expenditures
   • 4 found a 30% decline in direct health care and workers’ compensation claims

There is little doubt that a all-inclusive wellness program created to meet an enterprise’s specific needs can save money by lowering absenteeism, reducing medical care costs, reducing employee turnover, and increasing productivity.

• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2003