Group Insurance Benefits ExplainedGet the details, guidelines, pros and cons, and future outlook of Group Insurance Benefits from the specialists

Creating a Healthy Workplace

With the rising costs of healthcare and group health insurance, more and more attention is being focused on employee wellness. Healthier employees mean less absenteeism, fewer medical needs and ultimately lower medical costs and health insurance premiums.

Initially, programs were launched to encourage employees to live a healthier lifestyle by eating better and exercising to lose weight; by quitting smoking; by decreasing alcohol consumption; and finding ways to reduce stress.

Professionals now realize that additionally an important facet of any employee wellness program is to create a healthy workplace.

Creating the healthy workplace includes good health management on site, active group wellness activities, a supportive environment for employee wellness programs, and open communications systems.

Depending on the size of your business and your resources, creating a work environment to promote the health and well being of your employees can be as simple as doing the following:

Encourage employees to move more through using scheduled breaks or lunchtime to walk or be physically active, rest, or get sunshine or fresh air.

Suggest a “walking meeting” when meeting one-on-one with a staff member or small employee workgroup.

Use staff meetings and other regular communication venues, such as bulletin boards and newsletters, to promote ways to improve employee health, safety, and fitness.

Evaluate work stations for their ergo dynamics. Workday activities that require repetitive motion may lead to discomfort and injury. Look at what can be done to relieve symptoms and avoid serious injury.

Make sure that employees who work on a computer give hands and wrists a quick break every 30 minutes.

Ensure that healthy food and beverage choices are available for meetings and catered events.

Foster a culture of wellness within the workplace; share your enthusiasm for creating a comprehensive employee wellness program and for health improvement programs.

Model healthful behaviors. Leadership is the key to an effective work site wellness program.

Just doing these few things will get you started on an employee wellness program for you and your employees.

Technorati Tags: corporate health, corporate wellness, employee health, employee wellness, healthy program, healthy workplace, wellness program, wellness programs, workplace health