The 2012 presidential primaries may be months away, but presidential hopefuls are already buzzing about health care.  The hot topic is whether to repeal ObamaCare and its sweeping changes, which have increased health-care costs for many small-business owners.  In the face of these and future changes, many businesses have examined ways to reduce overall expenses.  Between furloughs, layoffs, and salary cuts, businesses may have overlooked one small investment that can reap big savings: an employee wellness program.

Since the 1970s, cost control and health trends have provided a push toward wellness programs in the workplace.  Through such mutually beneficial programs, employers can increase the work performance and productivity of their most precious commodity: their human resources.  In return, employees can enjoy a healthier lifestyle and a more positive work environment.

Employee wellness programs concentrate on the physical well being of workers, such as medical requirements and general health.  Wellness programs offer a variety of health-related solutions, which may include weight loss plans, stress management training, smoking cessation programs, nutrition coaching, physical fitness advice, behavioral health therapy, and physiological testing, like blood pressure screenings and cholesterol checks.  Even alternative therapies like massage and meditation are catching on.  Employees appreciate the variety of programs, and it helps to keep them happy and productive at work.

Here are five reasons why an employee wellness program might be the right choice for your business:

●       Decreased absenteeism. Education and training courses promote healthier employee lifestyles, which decreases absenteeism caused by behavioral health and sick leave.  A complete workforce can help a business enjoy maximum productivity.

●       Reduced health care costs. The minimal expense of a wellness program, coupled with its positive effect on employee health, has been shown to decrease business health care and insurance costs.  Dollar for dollar, the investment is well worth the return.

●       Increased loyalty and morale. Healthier employees are happier employees!  Well-cared-for employees are more likely to feel appreciated by and connected to their employer, which promotes feelings of pride and responsibility in their work.  Happy employees help foster a pleasant and positive work environment—an invaluable resource to any business.  Happy employees are also more productive and more loyal, resulting in less turnover and reduced recruitment costs.

●       Improved productivity. This is arguably the greatest advantage of an employee wellness program.  Employees at their healthiest have higher energy, improved concentration, and increased productivity.  Together with reduced absenteeism and increased morale, this means employees are happier, healthier, and ready to consistently perform at optimal levels.

●       Lower overall costs. All of the above reasons combined result in lower overall costs to the business.  While it’s difficult to quantify what is gained through increased morale and loyalty, tangible results like decreased absenteeism, reduced health care costs, and increased productivity can provide a measurable—and sizable—reduction in overall business costs.

An employee wellness program can be an effective tool to cut costs and maintain a happy and productive workforce, and it can also attract and retain quality employees.  As part of a comprehensive employee benefits package, a wellness program can serve as an attractive perk during a talent search.  Not sure if an employee wellness program is right for your business?  We at YES! Your Human Resources Solution can help you decide.  We’ll look at ways your business can get the most from its employee benefits and recognition programs.  Our professional Human Resources consultants will examine your programs and determine how they’re working out for your workforce.

Just look at what we did for a medical device company, unsure if its benefits and recognition programs were appropriate or appreciated.  YES! identified differentiators by surveying the local and regional business communities about commonly offered benefits and perks.  We also surveyed employees about their needs, and proposed changes to the benefits packages based on the results.  From there, we communicated with employees about the recent changes and the value of the benefit plans.

Let us help you optimize your employee benefits!  For more information about YES!, Orange County’s premier HR consulting firm, visit our website or contact us for a free consultation.