More Confirmation Employee Health Programs Boost Productivity

Health promotion programs also save employers money, a study in the October issue of ACOEM's Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine confirms.

  • Oct 14, 2013

Employee wellness and health promotion programs are more important than ever, both because the new Affordable Care Act includes incentives for them and because they provide huge savings. A study published in the October 2013 issue of ACOEM's Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine is further evidence of the payoffs.

The study involves a program in which wellness coaches provided telephone support to help employees address health problems or risk factors. The program cut lost work time by about 10.3 hours per year and saved an average of about $350 for each participating employee, according to ACOEM. The study used measures of lost time that included absenteeism as well as presenteeism.

"Participating in health promotion programs can help improve productivity levels among employees and save money for their employers," said Rebecca J. Mitchell, MPH, who produced the study with colleagues at OptumHealth of Golden Valley, Minn.

She said the results "add to the growing body of evidence that investing in a healthy workforce can help to increase productivity levels of employees," adding that "it takes time and commitment for program participation to yield success."

Product Showcase

  • Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. Read More

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars