| Most people spend more hours at work than | | | | within their workplace. Another benefit of |
| anywhere else in addition to the time they | | | | corporate wellness programming is a reduction |
| spend commuting each day. In fact, the | | | | in the cost of healthcare. When employees are |
| typical American works approximately 47 hours | | | | healthy and less stressed they tend to rely |
| a week which is at least 164 hours more than | | | | less on costly programs such as disability |
| the average 20 years ago. Given these | | | | insurance and sick leave. Companies will |
| statistics, it is easy to see why maintaining | | | | notice a significant decrease in healthcare |
| a healthy work / life balance is becoming | | | | costs once they incorporate wellness programs |
| increasingly important. Corporate wellness | | | | into their workplace. For example, after |
| programs important tools to establish this | | | | implementing a fitness program in which only |
| balance. Programs that emphasize the benefits | | | | 60% of the employees participated, Coca-Cola |
| of corporate wellness can be implemented in a | | | | was able to save $500 per employee every |
| variety of ways. However, they all share a | | | | year. Increased productivity is another |
| common goal - to promote the well-being of | | | | benefit of corporate wellness. Employees who |
| their employees, employers and organization | | | | are happy and healthy tend to produce a |
| in general. Many companies are starting to | | | | greater volume of work at a higher quality |
| realize the tremendous benefits of corporate | | | | than unhealthy employees. Employers need to |
| wellness. One of the primary benefits of | | | | realize that implementing programs that lower |
| corporate wellness involves a reduction in | | | | fitness and stress levels will increase the |
| the rates of illness and injuries among | | | | overall output of their employees. Corporate |
| employees. Unhealthy employees experience a | | | | wellness programs also contribute to the |
| wide range of work-related injuries such as | | | | enhanced retention of key employees. |
| muscle strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, stress | | | | Companies that implement wellness programs |
| fractures or back pain. These individuals are | | | | normally experience a much lower rate of |
| also susceptible to developing complications | | | | employee turnover. Recruiting, marketing and |
| such as diabetes, heart disease or a stroke. | | | | advertising for vacant positions are very |
| Employees without the opportunity to | | | | costly, not to mention time-consuming. If |
| participate in corporate wellness programs | | | | your employees are happy and healthy and |
| may develop serious illnesses. Consequently, | | | | enjoy working at your company, you will be |
| they could find themselves on long-term | | | | able to focus more time and energy on |
| disability for an extended period of time or | | | | actually getting the job done. The bottom |
| be forced to discontinue working entirely. In | | | | line is you should take advantage of the |
| addition to preventing illnesses amongst | | | | benefits of corporate wellness. Make it a |
| employees, corporate wellness programs also | | | | goal to implement a program as soon as |
| lead to a reduction in employee absenteeism. | | | | possible - don't wait until most of your |
| Employees who are stressed, unhealthy or | | | | employees are stressed, sick or applying to |
| overworked tend to become sick much more | | | | other jobs. You will experience a reduction |
| often than healthy employees. When programs | | | | in employee injuries, illness, absenteeism |
| that focus on the benefits of corporate | | | | and healthcare costs, as well as an increase |
| wellness are implemented, this rate can be | | | | in employee retention and productivity. |
| drastically reduced. For example, Coors | | | | Assuming responsibility for establishing a |
| Brewing Company experienced a remarkable 18% | | | | healthy, harmonious working environment will |
| decrease in employee absenteeism after | | | | allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of |
| implementing a corporate wellness program | | | | corporate wellness. |