Empoyer Health
Companies Aren't Serious About
Employee Health
There seem to be more and more companies talking about Employee Health & Wellness programs these days. There are many studies that have shown that these educational programs help decrease obesity, high cholesterol and therefore heart disease, diabetes 2 and more in employee populations. Furthermore, there is evidence of better job performance, fewer sick days and better overall productivity from those employees adhering to a program of better dietary lifestyle with a modest increase in exercise.
One of the most significant and public demonstrations of this is the ongoing “GEICO Case Study” sponsored by The Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine(PCRM). First introduced in a single location and now adopted across much of the GEICO organization, this study demonstrated dramatic results from employees following the Whole Foods Plant Based Lifestyle proposed in the study.
“Study participants experienced overall productivity and measurable improvements in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and general health, according to the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI). Study participants also lost an average of 10 pounds, lowered LDL cholesterol by 13 points, and improved blood sugar control, if they had type 2 diabetes.”
These results are significant and produced as good or better health improvement results than many traditional medications could be expected to produce, with no side effects beyond the improved over-all health & wellness experienced by the participants. There are dramatic stories of individuals that can be found on the PCRM web site: http://pcrm.org.
Company Programs
So why don't more companies adopt similar programs. The cost is miniscule compared to the cost of insurance and payment of illness benefits (sick time, personal time off to care for children, etc.). A simple educational/instructional program could save companies, literally, millions of dollars in lost time and insurance premiums. The increased health, mental and physical performance of employees could quickly recoup the modes expenses that would be incurred by a simple Employee Wellness Program.
The great thing is that you don't have to be a GEICO to institute such a program in your company. No matter what the size of the company, there are employees who are overweight/obese, plagued by diabetes 2, heard disease, high cholesterol and even cancer, who will benefit from simple dietary educational programs.
Recent Experience with a False Narrative
Unfortunately, many companies talk a good game but fail to actually accomplish much. Take for example a recent experience we had with a Major Airline in Orlando Florida. They were conducting an Employee Wellness program recently. They wanted us to conduct a healthy cooking demonstration and presentation to 30 employees at Orlando International Airport (OIA). We offered to provide educational DVD's from PCRM as well as brochures, dietary examples and recipes to the participants as well as a cooking demonstration with a sample food tasting.
Our proposal was for $2,000 for the event including materials, food and equipment transfer for the event inside the security perimeter at OIA. They then increased the number of participants to over 150 and restricted the budget, not to exceed $400 for the entire event. This was so ridiculous on it's face, that we thought it was a mistake, but not so much. Naturally our proposal was withdrawn.
Companies that fail to address the Health & Wellbeing of their employees suffer reduced performance and loss of market share to companies more attuned to employee productivity delivered by healthy, attentive and energetic employees.
Instituting a Health & Wellness Program
Companies that fail to address the Health & Wellbeing of their employees suffer reduced performance and loss of market share to companies more attuned to employee productivity delivered by healthy, attentive and energetic employees.
Company sponsored programs do not have to be elaborate. Simple 'Lunch 'n Learn' events each week or even each month can contribute to employee health, improve productivity and may end up with an increased profit to the company and it's shareholders. There is little to loose and Much to gain!
If you are interested in a simple Employee Health & Wellness program, please contact us at Whole Foods 4 Healthy Living. No organization is too large or too small to benefit from Healthy, Happy and productive employees!