By: Shawna Wright
Next to a competitive salary, health insurance is often considered the most important thing a company can offer its employees. A 2008 Towers Perrin Health Care Cost survey reported that companies routinely pay an annual average of $9,000 per employee for health care. However, an increasing number of companies are asking employees to shoulder more and more of the costs, or are even altering their health insurance policies in an effort to cut company overhead.
On the other hand, a growing minority is incorporating wellness programs into their company culture, attempting to minimize common health concerns that plague employees including; stress, weight-related heath issues and smoking. Wellness programs are preventative measures. If a company can help to improve the health of their employees in the office, then out-of-office health expenses decrease, and employee productivity and morale increases.
Employers are offering Weight Watcher classes, subsidized gym memberships, on-site vaccinations and more, often on company time Another study by insurer giant MetLife found that 94% of companies with wellness programs actually reduced their medical costs. For instance, more active employees tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, two health issues with medications that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per employee.
Starting a wellness program at your company involves time and effort, but the best part is that they are completely customizable to the health concerns and wants of your employees, as well as your budget. They are also a great way to entice job seekers and give current employees another reason to get excited about coming to work.
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