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Consistent with
the newly emerging worksite wellness literature, there are a number
of tangible benefits associated with worksite wellness programs.
Benefit #1:
Improved Morale
As the organizational culture begins to change as a result of your
health promotion efforts, you and your employees may actually begin
to see and feel a new level of energy within the organization. Ultimately,
one of the most ambitious goals of any comprehensive health promotion
program is to attempt to influence the attitudes and actions of
the organization's most valuable resource -- its employees.
Benefit #2:
Reduced Turnover
As we all know, employee replacement costs can be quite high for
any kind of business. The effort and expense associated with running
employment ads, reading applications, checking references, interviewing
qualified candidates and hiring, and training a new employee can
be a serious burden on any business. In light of the challenges
that high employee turnover poses, many businesses are looking to
health promotion programs as an additional perk that can help to
prevent employees from jumping ship.
Benefit #3:
Increased Recruitment Potential
In the midst of a very tight labor market, businesses are forced
to pull out the stops in order to recruit new talent. In some instances,
health promotion can prove to be a very valuable tool in sealing
the deal.
Benefit #4:
Reduced Absenteeism
When an employee misses work in a business setting, the entire organization
is forced to absorb their responsibilities. Even in the event of
the occasional absence caused by things like colds and the flu,
work can back-up and tensions can build.
Even worse is
a long-term absence caused by a major health event that requires
hospitalization and/or rehabilitation. By preventing certain types
of illness caused by poor lifestyle habits, health promotion programs
can play an important role in reducing absenteeism.
Benefit
#5: Health Care Cost Containment
Most businesses don't start a health promotion program with cost
containment in mind. However, cost containment for certain health
problems should be considered a viable goal by many businesses.
Benefit #6:
Improved Employee Health Status
One of the greatest advantages of a well-designed health promotion
initiative is the promise of improved health. While not conclusive,
there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that well-designed
health promotion initiatives can successfully impact such behaviors
as smoking, high-risk alcohol use, exercise, nutritional habits,
seatbelt usage, and stress.
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