Fitness and Wellness Programs in the Workplace | Leisure Fitness ...

by Dr. Paul Kennedy, Wellness Outreach Doctor ? May 2013 Topic of the Month

If there is any branch of health improvement activities that has literally exploded in the last few years, it is the concept of corporate fitness and wellness. In the past, emphasis on fitness and wellness in the workplace centered on the employees that were chronically ill (and frequently missed work) and not the ENTIRE workplace population. We now know that the result of these narrowly focused programs to improve the health of the chronically sick were misplaced and, in many cases, ineffective. Why? Because the workplace was not the best location (at least in the recent past) for the rehabilitation of what were correctly considered ?acquired? diseases. More recently, we have realized that the best workplace ?wellness? programs were those that focused on prevention and the continued support of those that were suffering from acquired chronic disease(s) such as Type II diabetes, heart and circulatory diseases, breathing disorders (many caused by smoking!) and musculo-skeletal disorders (many caused by repetitive movements. In fact, even sitting or standing in the same position for extended periods of time can be an invitation to chronic pain and a plethora of musculo-skeletal disorders.

The good news is that the emphasis has begun to change from responding to diseases and acquired conditions to preventing them from happening in the first place. Hence, the birth of ?Fitness and Wellness? programs whose purpose is to teach and encourage employees (regardless of age or fitness level) to practice a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a healthy ?diet? or eating plan. For the most part, these programs are voluntary. However, many companies and corporations both large and small are offering incentives and even cash bonuses for participation. How does it work? Well, it is basically an investment by the company in the employee who, through participation in the program (most are voluntary) may receive gifts, cash bonuses for being healthy or reductions in insurance premiums. It sounds like bribery but many companies that become involved in wellness programs focused on improved fitness levels have found that there insurance claims and, as a result, their insurance premiums have gone down. In addition, employees that DO participate may actually be offered reductions in their insurance premiums if they pay all or part of their own insurance costs. And the bottom line is?well, the bottom line! By that I mean that companies save money, employees are healthier, happier AND more productive and the company does better financially as a result of lower insurance costs (see ?Workplace Wellness and Profitability?, Topic of the Month, August, 2012).

It is no wonder then that more and more companies are setting up company fitness centers, allowing their employees ?flex? time for exercise and promoting fitness and wellness through employee education. And it is no surprise that those companies that invest in the health of their are, in most cases, the ones that are showing improved productivity, decreased absenteeism (which effects product and work quality) as well as increased profits and improved employee retention. Indeed, workplace fitness and wellness programs are now considered a desirable and effective way to attract new employees and keep current employees healthy and on the job. So who would you work for? Given a choice, would you work for a company that gave little thought to the health and wellness of its employees or for a company that provided opportunities and support to their employees to become more fit and improve their health? The answer is pretty easy, right? If you work for a company that does have a ?wellness? or ?fitness? program, you?re one of the lucky ones. If your company does not have a health and wellness program for employees, consider suggesting one to your supervisor or even upper management. After all, the research data is becoming clearer each year that even basic company sponsored health and wellness programs (group fitness classes, fitness rooms, fitness seminars, health and wellness committees and even subsidized fitness memberships) easily pay for themselves over time?especially with respect to the insurance costs referenced above. If your company, business or organization already has a wellness program?awesome! If not, there?s no time like the present because we now know that corporate health programs are a good economic strategy as well as being the right thing to do.

That?s the ?Be Fit, Stay Fit? Topic of the Month for June, 2013. Good luck with YOUR program. I KNOW you can do it!

Source: http://blog.leisurefitness.com/2013/06/fitness-and-wellness-programs-in-the-workplace/

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