The importance of employers’ role in wellness is acknowledged worldwide. The World Health Organization has cited the workplace as one of the priority settings for health promotion in the 21st century. - Dee Edington, Zero Trends
Workplace Wellness Benefits to Employers:
- Recruitment of top talent
- Improved employee retention
- Reduced absenteeism/presenteeism
- Engaged employees and increased productivity
- Reduced employee benefit costs
- Reduced short- and long-term disability payments
- Reduced worker compensation claims
- Improved employee morale and satisfaction
- Enhanced company visibility, stewardship and social responsibility
Workplace Wellness Benefits to Employees:
- Increased awareness and knowledge of ways to maintain/improve their health
- Reduced workplace stress and workplace injuries
- Enhanced health and well-being – happier with life overall
- Higher morale and greater job satisfaction
- Improved productivity and employee engagement
- Reduced personal health care costs
- More relaxed and flexible view on personal health issues
- Reduced absenteeism/presenteeism
- Less likely to leave their place of employment
Outcomes of Canadian workplace wellness initiatives:
Canada Life Insurance reported a return of $3.43 on Workplace Wellness Program, and an overall Worksite Wellness Plan return on investment of $6.85 on each business dollar invested on decreased turnover (32.4% lower), productivity gains and decreased medical claims;- DuPont’s Worksite Wellness Plan pilot sites saw a savings of 11,726 disability days and a return of United States $2.05 for every dollar invested by the end of the second year;
- The Canadian government’s Worksite Wellness Plan return on investment was $1.95-$3.75 per employee per dollar spent (as reported by Dr. Roy Shepherd);
- Municipal employees in Toronto, missed 3.35 fewer days in the first six months of their Worksite Wellness Plan than employees not enrolled in the program;
- British Columbia Hydro employees enrolled in a Worksite Wellness Plan had a turnover rate of just 3.5% compared with a Company average of 10.3%;
- Johnson & Johnson estimated an average saving of $224.66 US per employee per year for the four years examined after the program introduction, with the bulk of the savings being in the third and fourth years;
- Pacific Bell reported that overall rates of absence decreased after implementing a Workplace Wellness Program;
- Coca Cola report saving $500 every year per employee after implementing a Workplace Wellness Program, with only 60% of their employees participating;
- Coors Brewing Co. reported that for each dollar spent on their Worksite Wellness Plan they saw a $5.50 return, and the employees who participated decreased their absentee rate by 18%;
- Prudential Insurance Company reported that the cost of benefits for employees participating in their program were $312, as opposed to $574 for non-members.
Author: Lisa Kelly
