Why Employers are Excited to Pay More for Healthier Employees
Corporate wellness programs are a less-than-common company benefit, and they’re not to be taken for granted. These programs – like Houston’s Healthy Start MD – offer employees health care that’s more intensive, patient-centered, and has a stronger focus on prevention than the standard employee health coverage.
Completely distinct from health insurance employees receive at work, corporate wellness programs are a separate service contracted independently of the company’s health insurance provider. A corporate wellness program provides all employees services like
- Annual tests and screenings
- Access to an online patient portal
- Online communication with a physician
- Online tools to help assess their health and disease risk
- Exercise and fitness tracking tools
- Online consultations with a dietician or exercise physiologist
According to a recent study on obesity rates in the United States, Texas ranks as the 13th most obese state in the union – so in the field of corporate wellness programs Houston could especially benefit. There’s no doubt that corporate wellness plans are beneficial for employees, but what benefit to they have for the companies that implement them?
The most-cited answer is increased productivity with happier employees. One study reports that American employers lose over 300 billion dollars worth of productivity annually due to a mixture of sick days, chronic absences, and sub-par performance while on the job. Many problems related to employee health could easily be fixed with good preventive care. What’s more, employees who receive these additional benefits from work will be far more likely to be satisfied with their jobs – and less likely to take unnecessary days off. Employees who don’t feel like their employer is trying to “take advantage of them,” but rather recognize that their company is concerned with their well-being, will also be less likely to abuse their privileges or take advantage of the system by working less than they need to.
Employers can also potentially save an enormous amount of money on preventable medical expenses by keeping employees healthy. The prospect of healthier and happier employees benefits the entire company: the people and the bottom line. Many corporate wellness Houston programs (like Healthy Start MD) do health screenings at the company office, saving even more time by eliminating the need for employees to go to the doctor during the workday. Employee health and wellness programs aren’t just for high-powered executives and white-collar companies; they’re great for construction companies, hotels, or any other company whose employees do physical labor and require good health to perform optimally at work. Corporate wellness plans are affordable and an excellent option for all companies interested in better employee health and higher productivity.
