A workplace wellness program will provide you with happier employees and a
healthier bottom line! ✓ Improved employee productivity and effectiveness.
A workplace wellness program will provide you with happier employees and a healthier bottom line! Improved employee productivity and effectiveness Reduced sick days and absenteeism Decreased on-job injuries and related WCB costs Lower health care costs Reduced physical and mental stress Enhanced mental alertness and performance Recruitment tool to help attract and retain employees Enhanced employee satisfaction and morale
“Businesses should get involved in employee health programs, it's in their own best interest.” - Public Health Agency of Canada
The Benefits of Workplace Wellness Healthy employees are a valuable asset! A good workplace wellness program will help your employees:
Increase Energy Reduce Stress Improve Strength Enhance Memory Decrease Illness
It also provides significant benefits to the employer, who gains the benefits of happier, healthier employees and an additional tool to help recruit and retain skilled employees!
Lead, Follow or…. Currently, over 30% of Canadian businesses have implemented some form of wellness program or fitness subsidy to invest in their employee’s health and well-being. Companies are looking at the underlying issues, and tying organizational
health to business goals. Changing demographics, recruitment and retention of skilled employees has become a primary concern.
Return on Investment The benefits of a workplace wellness program to employers are well established:
Reduced turnover Increased employee satisfaction/morale Reduced rates of absenteeism Reduced risk of employee disease and illness Reduced number of injuries Reduced health-care claims Increased organizational effectiveness Less stress-related illness
“Over 5 years, businesses should see a return on investment of: $ 3.43 for every $1 invested.” -Public Health Agency of Canada
Annual employee health care costs are directly related to employee weight, averaging: $2,200 for normal weight $2,400 for over-weight $2,700 for obese
-Public Health Agency of Canada
Case Examples Return On Investment Canada Life in Toronto showed a return on investment of $3.40 for each $1.00 invested on reduced turnover, productivity gains and decreased medical claims. From a study of 23,500 employees, General Motors estimated that adding just two or more days of light exercise lowered costs by an average of $500 per employee per year. Getting the most sedentary obese workers to exercise would have saved $790,000 a year. Company wide, fitness initiatives would save upwards of $7.1 Million.
Reduced Turnover BC Hydro employees enrolled in a work-sponsored fitness program had a turnover rate of 3.5% compared with the company average of 10.3%. The Canadian Life Assurance Company found that the turnover rate for fitness program participants was 32.4% lower than the average over a seven-year period. Toronto Life Assurance found that employee turnover for those enrolled in the company's fitness program was 1.5% versus 15% for non-participants.
Reduced Health-Care Claims Prudential Insurance reports that the company's major medical costs dropped from $574 to $312 for each participant in their wellness program. Coca Cola reported a reduction in health-care claims with an exercise program alone saving $500 per employee per year for the employees who joined their fitness program. For $30 per person, the Bank of America conducted a health promotion program for retirees. Insurance claims were reduced by an average of $164 per year while costs for the control group increased by $15.
Reduced Absenteeism City of Toronto municipal employees missed 3.5 fewer days in the first six months of their fitness program than employees not enrolled in the program.
The Cost of Recruitment Most businesses underestimate the immense hidden cost of recruiting and training new staff. Any new staff must undergo a lengthy recruitment, training and development process. Evolution has estimated its own cost of hiring a single new employee as follows: Cost $
60.00
Promotional: Recruitment Time:
$
125.00
00
Management : 5 Hours @ $25. /hr Training Time: Management : 4 Days @ $25.00/hr
$
1120.00
Staff : 4 Days @ $10.00/hr Safety Certification: Total:
$
180.00
$
1485.00
Shockingly, this is also just the direct cost of hiring an employee. Not accounted for are variables such as:
Management or Overtime hours by other staff required to compensate for staff shortage
Management’s postponement or inability to complete regular duties due to staff shortage
New employee learning curve (take longer to complete tasks, inevitable mistakes, continued assistance, follow-up reviews, etc.)
Clearly, trained, experienced employees are an invaluable resource that businesses should strive to retain.
Healthy, happy employees make for a healthier bottom line.
