Whether it’s called Workplace Wellness, Corporate Wellness, or Workplace Health, these types of programs have been on the rise. It’s uncertain who the first company was that started this type of initiative, but it is known the amount of companies offering these types of programs have been growing in numbers since 2010 since health insurance costs have been on the rise since the Affordable Care Act was passed five years ago. Fifteen years before the act was passed, a company called Johnson and Johnson implemented an employee wellness policy that was adapted so effectively, that the percentage of employees that smoked dropped by over two-thirds. (Berry, 2010) Employee wellness has been around for a while in smaller forms. The first thing that caught my eye when researching corporate wellness programs were all the companies and magazines directed toward this effort. You can call it Workplace Wellness, Corporate Wellness, or Workplace Health but whatever you call it, it’s pretty much the same thing. The workplace has some type of program set up to promote healthy lifestyle choices. It promotes healthy behavior and healthy outcomes. The programs offered can range from smoking cessation to full out wellness centers composed of gyms, exercise classes in addition to wellness coaching related to weight management, on-site fitness programs, health-related benefits, and mental well-being. Some workplaces offer incentives for being an active part of their health programs.
In Primary Matters by upfront they exhibit how the major parties choose their candidates, starting with the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. The New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses have too much influence over the other states, especially for being so rural and not very diverse. “Since 1952, the New Hampshire primary has been the first major test for presidential hopefuls… During the 1970s, the Iowa caucuses, which take place earlier, began to gain importance.” (upfront) The primary and caucuses are based on tradition, it's been kept because there hasn't really been a real need to change. This system has turned into barely more than a televised advertisement for the candidates. The real importance isn't their opinions and
Berry, L.L. and Mirabito, A.M. (2011). Partnering for prevention with workplace health promotion programs. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(4): 335-337.
An employee can help reduce the cost of health cost by doing several things. There has been an outcry from organizations due to the rising number of competitors with high expenses catering for health benefits during employment periods and on retiring. The employee can be of great help by being participative in the programs set by their employers to benefit more from other advantages far from health costs (Kerzner, 2013). Some of the choices an employee may consider to help control health costs are by boosting consumerism, use technology to manage benefits, and indulge in fitness and health programs.
This will allow for increased spending in other areas of our company, creating a more productive budget. In addition, participation in the Wellness Program will provide employees that are able to work more often and more efficiently. This will undoubtedly increase productivity and decrease turnover. With 39,000 employees in the United States and 30 foreign nations, it is imperative that we maintain healthy and productive employees. Because of these significant benefits, it is crucial that we maintain and improve participation in the program. However, there are several concerns that may hinder such participation: 1. Despite Whirlpool’s guarantee of confidentiality, many employees do not trust the company with such private information. a. Employees have expressed their fear in the use of the information. They are concerned that their health status may negatively affect their position in the company. b. Although it is assured that no records are kept, employees fear the leak of private health information to their peers. If information was leaked, they fear the effects on their reputation and social standing within the company. 2. In order for the new addition to our program to be successful, it is important that we stress the benefits to our current employees. a. If our employees do not
The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 to make sure that most people had medical insurance. With this new healthcare system came the responsibility that individuals would have to take initiatives to try to stay or get healthy. The preventative care portion included in the Affordable Car Act is a big item and very important in health care reform and very positive for the American people. Wellness in the workplace has become a very important issue to help reduce companies medical cost, and to help employees get on track to know their numbers, get healthy, and have a positive healthy mental attitude. Many employees do not understand or know how to get healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. With the rising cost of healthcare relating to
In recent years, health has become an increasing concern as obesity rates climb around the world, and especially in the United States. According to the World Health Organization (2015), obesity rates have doubled since the 1980s and will continue to rise if this trend continues. There are many factors that contribute to this obesity epidemic, which include larger portion sizes, more processed foods, changes in technology, and fewer jobs that require manual work. As waist sizes are growing, so are concerns for the future of our world and action is being taken by many companies to improve the health of their employees. In recent years laws have been passed through the Affordable Care Act to promote wellness programs in the workplace.
Foremost, the healthier a society is, the more productive employees are, which boosts revenue. When an employee’s health is in question, an employer may actually lose 77 percent of productivity, making the loss greater than that of health care expenses. These numbers go up with the combination of lack of exercise, 96 percent loss, and unhealthy eating habits, 93 percent loss, said a study from Brigham Young University, according to an article in a 2012 Education Letter. The study included “those who did not believe their workplace environment would support them in becoming physically and emotionally healthier were more likely to
The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, with the intent of ensuring that most people in the United States have medical insurance. With this new healthcare system came the responsibility that individuals would have to take initiatives in an effort to stay healthy or at the least, increase their level of activity and health awareness, making them more responsible for their own wellness. The preventative care portion included in the Affordable Care Act is one of the fundamental items of the law and is a particularly meaningful, very positive attribute in health care reform for the American people. Wellness in the workplace has become an essential issue to help reduce companies’ medical cost, and to help employees get on track to know their numbers, get healthy, and have a positive healthy mental attitude. Many employees do not understand or know how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. With the rising cost of healthcare, especially relating to people not taking care of their bodies, wellness in the workplace has become even more critical. Author Lori Breiner (2007) “believes wellness in the workplace has economic benefits for organizations, because if workers are healthy, they miss less time from work.” Breiner’s theory would suggest that better health increases productivity and profits in the workplace.
Allow employees to register for company-sponsored classes and programs to help them manage their weight, reduce stress, stop smoking, and manage other health
Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st. you watch halloween movies some of them can be very scary. Halloween is a fun way to get candy have fun be spooky.I was always scared of halloween when I was little.Halloween is celebrated in America by tricker treating and getting candyHALLOWEEN is used to wear scary outfits and get candy for the fun of it.
Wellness in the workplace needs to be taken seriously by all employers, and employees. There has been evidence that making sure employees eat healthier leads to lower call out rates and more savings on health plans. In an article in Employee Benefits magazine it states that “Wellness management does not need to be complicated, or costly. A few simple steps could help to mitigate long-term problems, such as introducing early intervention activities that red flag cases identified via an absence reporting mechanism, the proactive management of musculo-skeletal conditions and stress, introducing a smoking cessation program or running regular health wellbeing days. “Workplace wellness as a concept has been used extensively in recent years by management in business and industry, health professionals, fitness experts, and others. This is a policy that should be implanted in all jobs. Wellness may not
Setting the stage for starting a workplace-based wellness program will be the most difficult part. The program can be achieved by getting upper management support and forming a wellness/health services unit to help plan, promote, implement and maintain the program.
There are a vast number of types of workplace wellness programs. In general, workplace wellness programs encourage people to take steps to prevent the onset or worsening of a health condition or sickness and to adopt lifestyles that are healthier. Businesses may implement many types of workplace wellness programs, from onsite gyms to simple workplace wellness newsletters. While some corporations have instituted very comprehensive workplace wellness
Research indicates that employers can increase employee retention, increase employee productivity, and reduce employee healthcare costs by implementing a workplace wellness program.
The first day at my new school. I should be ecstatic, but I'm not. I'm anxious, moving to Marysville in the middle of spring break. What if I don't fit in? I didn't really fit in at Cardington. Everyone was all about hunting and softball and I just wasn't. But Marysville isn't some hick village, this place is bigger. Meaning a larger variety of people.