What Are Your Unhealthy Employees Costing You?
One doesn’t have to look far to see that our society is plagued by an increasingly unhealthy population. It seems like we all know someone who suffers from obesity or a chronic illness, and there’s a reason for that.
According to Statistics Canada 2012, over 52% of Canadians 18 years and over are overweight or obese, and current trends indicate that this figure is on the rise. To put that into perspective, 1 in 2 Canadians or 13,485,120 people are overweight and at risk for other chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Unhealthy behaviours such as lack of exercise, smoking, and poor diet are additional risk factors for chronic disease and a recent survey shows that 63% of Canadians have 3 or more of these risk factors. This, combined with the fact that 76% of Canadians are currently in the work force, it is clear that the majority of Canadian employees are significantly unhealthy and at risk for chronic disease
According to Statistics Canada 2012, over 52% of Canadians 18 years and over are overweight or obese, and current trends indicate that this figure is on the rise. To put that into perspective, 1 in 2 Canadians or 13,485,120 people are overweight and at risk for other chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Unhealthy behaviours such as lack of exercise, smoking, and poor diet are additional risk factors for chronic disease and a recent survey shows that 63% of Canadians have 3 or more of these risk factors. This, combined with the fact that 76% of Canadians are currently in the work force, it is clear that the majority of Canadian employees are significantly unhealthy and at risk for chronic disease
Employers Are Bearing the Costs
Employers, now more than ever, are bearing the costs for their unhealthy workers through employee benefit costs, sick days, poor production, and lost opportunities. Illness becomes more than just a personal health issue when it begins to affect ones job performance.
From an employer standpoint, obesity and chronic illness affects productivity, morale, and profits from:
- Reduced workplace effectiveness
- Increased absenteeism
- Increased disability
- Increased accidents and injuries
- Negative impact on work quality and customer service
CBC News reported that in 2011, Canadian workers took an average of 9.3 sick days, and those absences alone cost our economy about $16.6 billion based on salary costs for the days lost. This loss, plus the costs from workplace ineffectiveness, is a huge negative impact on our businesses and on our economy.
Companies Can Benefit From Stepping Up
With so many Canadian workers at risk for poor health, combined with an aging workforce, the need for employers to improve work environments and incorporate wellness programs has never been greater. Because many disease conditions can be preventable with simple healthy lifestyle changes and improved diet, employers who take action on employee health have a lot to gain. According to Canadian consulting firm, WorkingWell, an average ROI for an employee wellness program is $3.40 for every $1 spent.
The Win-Win of Wellness Programs
The Sun Life Canadian Health Index Survey found that while most Canadians accept responsibility for their health, many are failing to take action because of lack of time, money, motivation, and support.
By introducing employee health and wellness programs, large and small companies will be able to provide a structured and supportive environment to help workers change their behaviours. Small business or corporate programs can be designed to meet the needs of the organization, and can include lifestyle coaching, nutrition education, fitness challenges, as well as one-on-one coaching for some employees. By bringing these elements right into the workplace, employers will not only help their workers improve their health, they will protect their company’s own bottom line.
By introducing employee health and wellness programs, large and small companies will be able to provide a structured and supportive environment to help workers change their behaviours. Small business or corporate programs can be designed to meet the needs of the organization, and can include lifestyle coaching, nutrition education, fitness challenges, as well as one-on-one coaching for some employees. By bringing these elements right into the workplace, employers will not only help their workers improve their health, they will protect their company’s own bottom line.