Stress in the Workplace: A Costly Epidemic

Three out of every four American workers describe their work as stressful. And the problem is not limited to these shores. In fact, occupational stress has been defined as a "global epidemic" by the United Nations' International Labor Organization.

While the physical effects of this epidemic are often emphasized, the economic consequences also are alarming. Workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $200 billion per year in
absenteeism, lower productivity, staff turnover, workers' compensation, medical insurance and other stress-related expenses. Considering this, stress management may be business's most important challenge of the 21st century. To read more, click here.

Fitcorp is a national leader in the delivery of corporate fitness services. By taking advantage of the Fitcorp Benefit, your company can become healthier and more productive and ultimately reduce your corporate health care costs. To learn how Fitcorp can help you meet your corporate fitness goals, please contact Mike Parent, 617-375-5600 x.114

Obesity A More Costly Workplace Health Issue Than Smoking Workers' weight problems cost companies billions

Obesity not only takes its toll on health, it also has an impact on a company's bottom line. A new report by The Conference Board, a business research group, finds that obese employees cost U.S. private employers an estimated $45 billion annually in medical expenditures and work loss.

The report examines the financial and ethical questions surrounding whether, and how, U.S. companies should address the obesity epidemic.

"Employers need to realize that obesity is not solely a health and wellness issue," said Labor Economist Linda Barrington, Research Director of The Conference Board Management Excellence Program and co-author of the report.

"Employees' obesity-related health problems in the United States are costing companies billions of dollars each year in medical coverage and absenteeism. Employers need to pay attention to their workers' weights, for the good of the bottom line, as well as the good of the employees and of society," she said. To read the report's findings, click here:

Fitcorp is a national leader in the delivery of corporate fitness services. By taking advantage of the Fitcorp Benefit, your company can become healthier and more productive and ultimately reduce your corporate health care costs. To learn how Fitcorp can help you meet your corporate fitness goals, please contact Mike Parent, 617-375-5600 x.114

Corporations save big

Studies of big corporations that have been involved in in-depth health promotion and disease prevention programs for several years show big monetary returns on their investments.
A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion in 1999 showed that the $1.9 million that Citibank spent on a health management program resulted in $7 million savings in reduced medical costs and absenteeism.
Two studies of the first long-term health and wellness program at Johnson & Johnson, covering the years 1990-99, showed $225 overall savings per employee per year since 1995. The articles were printed in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in January and May of 2002.
Coors Brewing Co., a pioneer in workplace wellness programs, had a return of $6.15 per $1 invested over six years, according to a study by health care specialist Zoezi Inc. That same study showed Steelcase had a return of $5.80 for every $1 spent over five years, Equitable Life Assurance $5.52 over its first year, and Travelers Corp., $3.40, over its first year. Read more:

Fitcorp is a national leader in the delivery of corporate fitness services. By taking advantage of the Fitcorp Benefit, your company can become healthier and more productive and ultimately reduce your corporate health care costs. To learn how Fitcorp can help you meet your corporate fitness goals, please contact Mike Parent, 617-375-5600 x.114

Company wellness programs improve health, cut costs

Employee wellness programs just may be the cure for companies struggling to keep up with rapidly rising health care costs.
And proponents say that in addition to saving companies money, the programs are an effective way to help employees live healthier lives.
Jeff and Linda Pond of Virginia even suggest that Linda's company wellness program may have saved Jeff's life.
Two years ago, Pond received a letter informing him that his annual blood test results indicated he might have prostate cancer. The letter advised him to consult his physician.
Pond is now six weeks out of surgery to treat early stage prostate cancer and says things are "back to normal," thanks to Linda's employee wellness program at Quest Diagnostics, which provided the free blood tests that initially detected signs of cancer.
"My cancer would have gone undetected for years, and likely wouldn't have been nearly as treatable as it is," Pond said, adding that early detection saved him from having to go through more intensive -- and expensive -- treatments down the road.
It is this concept of preventative care that spurred the CEO of Quest Diagnostics -- where Linda works as a registered nurse -- to implement the company's wellness program four years ago, said Steve Burton, vice president of health and wellness services at Quest Diagnostics.
The company's voluntary program, Healthy Quest, provides employees, their spouses and domestic partners with a personalized health report -- called Blueprint for Wellness -- based on laboratory testing. The program also provides educational materials, weight-loss support groups, fitness classes, a smoking cessation program and personal counseling sessions. Employees who participate in the free program are given $10 bi-weekly as an incentive, Burton said.
So what's in it for the company?

Fitcorp is a national leader in the delivery of corporate fitness services. By taking advantage of the Fitcorp Benefit, your company can become healthier and more productive and ultimately reduce your corporate health care costs. To learn how Fitcorp can help you reach your corporate fitness goals, contact Mike Parent 617-375-5600 x.114