What is Workplace Wellness?
A worksite wellness program is an organized approach to making the work environment, policies and programs support employee health and encourage positive lifestyle behaviors such as increased physical activity, improved healthy eating, reduced tobacco exposure, and reduced stress.
A healthy, motivated employee is vitally important to a workplace as a whole and has significant impact on an employee’s bottom line.
An investment in workplace health promotion:
· Improves employee’s health, productivity and quality of life
· Assists in the management of the cost of health care, benefits and insurance
· Creates a desirable work environment
Employee Health is at Risk:
The current human and economic cost of poor health is devastating. Employees with modifiable risks accounted for 25% medical expenditures. An example of the health status of Minnesota adults is shown in the table below.
Risk Factor | Percentage of MN adults with Risk Factor |
Told by a physician they have hypertension | 22% |
Current smoker | 20% |
Not exercising at least 30 minutes per day | 49% |
No leisure-time physical activity | 16% |
Not eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day | 76% |
Reporting a Body Mass Index (BMI) classified as overweight | 38% |
Reporting a BMI classified as obese | 25% |
Major Health Risks are Modifiable:
The good news is many health risks can be modified and improved. Unfortunately, as awareness has grown about the health risks of serious chronic disease, most Americans have not changed their lifestyle to reduce their risk of illness or prevent disease. Changing one’s lifestyle is hard and therefore, many individuals would welcome outside support to modify their high-risk behaviors.
Workplace Wellness Programs are Proving Effective in Improving Employee’s Health and Productivity:
In 11 literature reviews, health promotion programs have been found to be effective in improving employee health risks. The summary of evidence is very strong for average reduction in sick leave, health plan costs, workers compensation and disability costs of slightly more than 25%. Workplace health promotion represents one of the most significant strategies for enhancing productivity of American workers.
Information from the Work Well Healthy Minnesota Toolkit at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/worksite
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Zero-Low Costs Strategies for a Healthier Worksite
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Healthier Worksite Initiative
Healthy North Dakota Worksite Wellness
New York State Physical Activity Coalition – 101 Low Cost Ideas for Worksite Wellness
University of Minnesota School of Public Health – Guidelines for Offering Healthy Foods at Meetings, Seminars and Catered Events
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/worksite
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Zero-Low Costs Strategies for a Healthier Worksite
Physical Activity:
-Stair Prompts
-Discounts on Gym Memberships
-Stretch Breaks
-Walking Groups
-Walk and Talk Meetings
-Pedometers/Exercise Balls/Weights for Employees
-Employee Sports Teams/Activity Groups
Nutrition:
-Healthy Food Policies
-Water Access
-Microwave and Refrigerator On-Site
-Healthy Vending
-Fruit and Vegetable Days
-Healthy Potlucks
-Recipe Sharing
-On-Site Garden
Services:
-Health Promotion E-mails
-Tobacco Cessation Programs
-Wellness Challenges
-Guest Speakers
-Weekly Health Promotion Newsletters
-Social Networks
-Health Coaching
-Pay-stub Messages
Miscellaneous:
-Health Promotion Bulletin Board
-Wellness Committees
-Hand Sanitizers
-Flexible Scheduling
-Stress Reduction Room
-Food and Activity Logs
-Natural Cleaning Products
_______________________________________________________________________
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Healthier Worksite Initiative
Healthy North Dakota Worksite Wellness
New York State Physical Activity Coalition – 101 Low Cost Ideas for Worksite Wellness
University of Minnesota School of Public Health – Guidelines for Offering Healthy Foods at Meetings, Seminars and Catered Events
