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Book makes case for greater investment in worker wellbeing
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THE Bible states that “the ravens neither sow nor reap, neither have storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them” (Luke 12:24). Most of us humans, however, are not so privileged, in that most of us have to work in an organization so as to be able to feed and clothe ourselves.
As Sun Xi observes on this page in his article “Happier workers could be more productive” (June 14), happy workers were 12 percent more productive, while unhappy workers were 10 percent less productive.
But one important prerequisite for achieving this happiness is health.
If we consider the amount of time most of us are cloistered in an office buildings, staring at blinking screens, it is easy to see why staying healthy is a major problem for many office workers.
According to Leigh Stringer, in his book “The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees — and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line,” many American firms have begun to take a genuine interest in keeping their employees healthy. Many of them are motivated by the recognition that healthier employees are more productive and engaged.
According to the book, research shows that each dollar spent on wellness can lower medical costs by US$3.27 and absenteeism costs by US$2.73.
American firms spent US$578.6 billion on group healthcare costs in 2012, up 72 percent from 2000.
Leading companies consider employee health just like any other investment: Their employees are essential for their business to run well, and the more efficient and effective their employees are, the better they will perform, writes Stringer.
If “employees are the engine that keeps companies running,” then American capitalists have good reasons to feel concerned. More than one in three adults in the United States is obese, and the sedentary behavior of most office workers leads to a host of diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Long hours and high competition also lead to stress, which can be costly too. According to one calculation, stress adds US$300 billion annually to US business costs.
It also results in absenteeism, as well as “presenteeism,” or declining productivity among employees who come to work sick.
Many office workers spend the lion’s share of their wakeful hours in an office building, and unfortunately, the time they spend at work often turns out to be the least healthy part of the day.
Some American firms are taking more active steps to help their employees stay healthy. The Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Florida, for instance, organizes and administers the Corporate Athlete course to help participants improve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. This is smart investments that can pay dividends in staff well-being “which means fewer absences and less time spent on work tasks.”
Work harder, perform better
One survey finds that 40 percent of employees said the availability of such programs help them “work harder and perform better.”
There are also a host of other strategies that make employees healthier.
If your organization includes office workers who cycles, skate or scoot to work, create a space for the storage of their equipment.
As sitting in a chair all day is not healthy, many companies are providing sit-to-stand desks. Post signs urging employees to take the stairs or to stand up at their desks periodically.
Flexibility can also incentivize.
“When employees are given the flexibility to move around the workplace to find a ‘quiet space,’ or allowed to work from home, they are not only more productive and less stressed, but they work more hours and are more satisfied,” Stringer observes.
Many companies also provide incentives for people who join wellness programs, and punish those who fail to meet specific health standards. Paying close attention to what employees eat, how often they exercise and their stress levels ultimately translates into corporate profits, and social wellbeing.
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