John Dineen makes a case for a healthy work environment
As countries around the world strive to create sustainable health
systems, conversations are shifting to a place many people spend
sizeable amounts of time: work. The integration of wellness and health
in the workplace is proving to be a powerful influencer in helping
employees lead healthier lives and improving long-term economic impact
on healthcare costs.
Employers have a unique vantage point: there is strong evidence that a
healthy workforce is vital to a company’s and a country’s
competitiveness, productivity and well-being. Over the past three years,
the World Economic Forum has explored this premise through its Workplace Wellness Alliance initiative, which shared findings from its latest report, “Making the Right Investment: Employee Health and the Power of Metrics,” at this week’s Annual Meeting in Davos.
With findings from the Alliance’s 2012 data collection, covering
almost two million employees from 25 companies and 125 locations
worldwide, this report also puts forward nine corporate case studies on
the types of return observed from specific workplace health and
well-being programs. The companies include: Discovery Health, General
Electric, Humana, Johnson & Johnson, Jubilant, Novartis, Saudi
Aramco, Unilever and US Preventive Medicine (USPM).
Among the Alliance report themes is ‘return on investment (ROI) for
workplace wellness,’ which is applicable around the world, regardless of
how developed wellness efforts are. Through metrics, both qualitative
and quantitative, employers are realizing the value of engaging
employees in their health and the likely long-term impact on healthcare
costs for companies and employees.
This isn’t theoretical. Companies can – and should – lead by
example. As governments around the world look to improve the health of
their people, local employers can significantly contribute with
accessible and sustainable workplace wellness programs. Not only is it
good for their employees’ health; it makes good business.
The Workplace Wellness Alliance
has begun its transition from the World Economic Forum to a new home –
the Institute of Health and Productivity Management (link to http://www.ihpm.org),
which will continue to advance metrics for workplace wellness. What
strikes me is the number and diversity of companies, organizations, and
individuals participating in the conversation. The consensus is that
workplace wellness will no longer be an exceptional offering by
employers, but the norm. In today’s economic environment, facilitating
the development of effective employer health strategies is a smart
investment.
Author: John Dineen is President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Healthcare
Image: A man yawns during working hours in Tokyo REUTERS/Issei Kato
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