 A workplace health program is a coordinated approach that aims to improve the health of staff, by informing and educating employees about ways they can
improve their health.
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What is a workplace health program?
A workplace health program is a coordinated approach that aims to improve the health of staff by:
| • | Informing and educating employees about ways they can improve their health; |
| • | Motivating staff to improve their health; |
| • | Increasing employee activity levels; |
| • | Providing workplace systems that support health, such as healthy food within the cafeteria; and, in some situations |
| • | Undertaking individual health assessments. |
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Who benefits from workplace health programs?
Consistent evidence suggests that a well planned and implemented health and wellness program achieves positive outcomes, for both employer and employee.
Employers benefit from:
| • | Reduced compensation costs; |
| • | Reduced absenteeism (staff taking leave because of poor health); |
| • | Reduced presenteeism (staff in poor health attending work but performing poorly); |
| • | Improved productivity; and |
Most businesses are conscious of compensation and turnover costs, and have strategies in place to minimise them. A focus on absenteeism is less common, however, and a focus on presenteeism is uncommon. Absenteeism and presenteeism are both high cost items in a number of organisations.
Organisations should not underestimate the financial benefits of a good workplace health program.
A 300% return on investment is a reasonable expectation for a well designed and implemented program.
Employees also have a lot to gain.
The benefits for the employee go beyond improving the employee's current health and wellbeing. Health programs involve promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and benefit the employee by:
| • | Improving their sense of wellbeing; |
| • | Improving their level of fitness (where appropriate); |
| • | Enabling them to better manage current health conditions (for example the sugar intake of someone who has diabetes); and |
| • | Reducing the risk of future health problems (for example the development of diabetes from obesity). |
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