Workplace Wellness for the Employer

    Do you know what your Employees may be costing your business?

    Illness and injury associated with an unhealthy lifestyle or modifiable risk ractors is reported to account for at least 25% of employee health care expenditures. The most significant of these risk factors are stress, tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use and poor nutritional habits. (american Journal of Health Promotion, 2000)

    Who is paying for this?

    • 87% of people who have private health insurance in PA get it through their current employer (PA Insurance Dept. 2005).
    • 78% of employers pay for half or more of the cost of health insurance for their employees (PA Insurance Dept. 2005).
    • Premiums have increased for 62% of those with private health insurance during the last three years (PA Insurance Dept. 2005).

    How much do employees' unhealthy lifestyles cost businesses?

    • Health care costs are twice as high as for employees that use alcohol as an average employee (Schneider Institute for Health, 2001).
    • Almost half of all trauma injury visits to hospitals emergency were alcohol related (C.D.C., 2000).
    • In 2000, the total cost of alcohol-related problems manifesting in productivity loss, premature death, disability, automobile accidents and other problems was $683 for every person in the United States (op.cit.).
    • Health care costs are 50% greater for employees who report high levels of stress (Occupational Environmental Medicine 1998).

    What are some of the hidden costs associated with an unhealthy lifestyle to businesses?

    • People who use tobacco will take an extra 18 days per year in longer and more frequent breaks (C.D.C., 2000).
    • Light and moderate alcohol users, higher in number than alcoholics, cause 60% of alcohol-related absenteeism, tardiness and poor work quality (Drug Strategies, 1999).

    What can you do about this within your business?

    • In 32 different studies, 28 have shown a positive ROI when prevention health services are available to employees (U.S. Preventative Services Taskforce).
    • Wellness programs average $3.48/$1 ROI (American Journal of Health Promotion,2001).
    • 90% of people living with chronic illness could be avoided through prevention services & programs(American Journal of Health Promotion, 2000).