| Most people spend more hours atwork than | | | | |
| anywhere else in addition to the time they | | | | Another benefit of corporatewellness |
| spend commuting each day.In fact, the typical | | | | programming is a reduction in the cost of |
| American works approximately 47 hours a week | | | | healthcare. When employeesare healthy and |
| which is atleast 164 hours more than the | | | | less stressed they tend to rely less on |
| average 20 years ago. Given these statistics, | | | | costly programs such asdisability insurance |
| itis easy to see why maintaining a healthy | | | | and sick leave. Companies will notice a |
| work / life balance is becomingincreasingly | | | | significantdecrease in healthcare costs once |
| important. Corporate wellness programs | | | | they incorporate wellness programs into |
| important tools toestablish this balance. | | | | theirworkplace. For example, after |
| Programs that emphasize the benefits of | | | | implementing a fitness program in which only |
| corporatewellness can be implemented in a | | | | 60%of the employees participated, Coca-Cola |
| variety of ways. However, they all share | | | | was able to save $500 per employeeevery year. |
| acommon goal - to promote the well-being of | | | | |
| their employees, employers andorganization in | | | | Increased productivity isanother benefit of |
| general. Many companies are starting to | | | | corporate wellness. Employees who are happy |
| realize the tremendousbenefits of corporate | | | | and healthy tendto produce a greater volume |
| wellness. | | | | of work at a higher quality than |
| | | | unhealthyemployees. Employers need to realize |
| One of the primary benefits ofcorporate | | | | that implementing programs that lowerfitness |
| wellness involves a reduction in the rates of | | | | and stress levels will increase the overall |
| illness and injuriesamong employees. | | | | output of their employees. |
| Unhealthy employees experience a wide range | | | | |
| of work-relatedinjuries such as muscle | | | | Corporate wellness programsalso contribute to |
| strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, stress | | | | the enhanced retention of key employees. |
| fractures orback pain. These individuals are | | | | Companies thatimplement wellness programs |
| also susceptible to developing | | | | normally experience a much lower rate of |
| complicationssuch as diabetes, heart disease | | | | employeeturnover. Recruiting, marketing and |
| or a stroke. Employees without the | | | | advertising for vacant positions are |
| opportunityto participate in corporate | | | | verycostly, not to mention time-consuming. If |
| wellness programs may develop serious | | | | your employees are happy and healthyand enjoy |
| illnesses.Consequently, they could find | | | | working at your company, you will be able to |
| themselves on long-term disability for | | | | focus more time andenergy on actually getting |
| anextended period of time or be forced to | | | | the job done. |
| discontinue working entirely. | | | | |
| | | | The bottom line is you should take advantage |
| In addition to preventingillnesses amongst | | | | of thebenefits of corporate wellness. Make it |
| employees, corporate wellness programs also | | | | a goal to implement a program as soonas |
| lead to areduction in employee absenteeism. | | | | possible - don't wait until most of your |
| Employees who are stressed, unhealthy | | | | employees are stressed, sick orapplying to |
| oroverworked tend to become sick much more | | | | other jobs. You will experience a reduction |
| often than healthy employees. Whenprograms | | | | in employee injuries,illness, absenteeism and |
| that focus on the benefits of corporate | | | | healthcare costs, as well as an increase in |
| wellness are implemented, thisrate can be | | | | employeeretention and productivity. Assuming |
| drastically reduced. For example, Coors | | | | responsibility for establishing a |
| Brewing Company experienceda remarkable 18% | | | | healthy,harmonious working environment will |
| decrease in employee absenteeism after | | | | allow everyone to enjoy the benefits |
| implementing a corporatewellness program | | | | ofcorporate wellness. |
| within their workplace. | | | | |