With the dramatic increase in chronic diseases, obesity rates and other health related issues, employees and employers face significant challenges related to health care costs and perhaps more importantly our well-being as individuals. In the case of obesity, beyond the obvious human impact, the estimated economic cost to the nation is $92.6 billion. As the nation debates the relative merits of various health care reforms, many organizations have decided to move forward with their own measures to improve the well-being of their employees through the implementation of wellness programs. Wellness programs are a positive and effective way to engage employees in the improvement of their health and to reduce the risk factors associated with many diseases. Some of the key components of a successful wellness program include:
- Biometric screening
- Health risk assessment
- Health coaching
- Aggregate data reporting capabilities
- Goals must be attainable and trackable
- Must be incentives and penalties for employees
Today, some leaders of companies now see it as a moral imperative to support their employees in their effort to improve their level of wellness. From an economic perspective, it is a win-win for both employees and employers since over time healthier employees translate to several favor results including:
- Decreased health insurance costs for employers and employees
- Reduced sick leave
- Decreased health care costs to the families
- Improved employee morale
- Reduced absenteeism
- Increased productivity
- Reduced overall costs
- Healthier and happier employees
The Crichton Group has adopted this forward-thinking approach by partnering with Wellness Inc. to improve the health and well-being of its own employees and now offers the services of Wellness Inc. to employee benefits clients.