The benefits of promoting healthy lifestyles in the workplace have been proven; good employee health boosts productivity, stimulates creativity and reduces company insurance costs. Creating a structured wellness program prepares businesses and their employees to meet the demands of the new economy, which requires high levels of creativity, immediate responsiveness and ever-shorter turnaround times. Studies […]
Stress-free employees work harder and better. Asking employees to rate their stress levels and incorporating anti-stress treatments into your wellness program may help boost employee health and resiliency, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study published in The American Journal of Health Promotion. While wellness programs can help cut health care costs and boost productivity, […]
The Face to Face Disability Management Forum, held on May 25, 2011, at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, brought together more than 100 plan sponsors, group insurers, benefits consultants, pharmaceutical representatives and other stakeholders to discuss effective disability management strategies. Read Part 1 of our coverage. Chronic pain is one of the most common causes […]
Over the last 20 years, we have seen the emergence of a major trend in North America: employee health and wellness are suffering. In Canada and the United States, there have been alarming increases of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Between 1994 and 2005, the rates of arterial hypertension among Canadians increased by 77%, diabetes by […]
Reader Alert: This is Part 1 in a two-part series. Read Part 2. Addiction, mental illness, unhealthy lifestyles…employee disability can stem from a number of causes. Workplace absences related to these disabilities place a significant burden on Canadian employers, accounting for an estimated 4% to 12% of payroll costs, according to 2002 research from Wilson, Joffe […]
Watch this video While most plan sponsors—and employees—will agree that people should take control of their own health, Chris Bonnett, president of H3 Consulting, suggests employers should also recognize the role they can plan in maintaining and encouraging employee health. “Sometimes it’s surprising for organizations to learn how much is in their control,” he says. […]
Watch this video Views about health and wellness have changed drastically over the years, with recent focus turning specifically to the link between employee wellness and overall business productivity. “The health and wellness of the workforce is intrinsically tied to the health and performance of the work site,” says Cindy Nayer, president, CEO and co-founder […]
Canadians are experiencing increased challenges as they try to address wellness, healthy living and chronic disease, according to Deloitte’s 2011 Survey of Health-care consumers. The study, which surveyed more than 2,300 adult Canadians, found that fewer Canadians are rating their overall health as “excellent” or “very good” (55% compared to 60% in 2009) and that […]
Stress, anxiety, depression and poor social support may be hampering employees’ efforts to achieve wellness goals, says a recent report by employee assistance program (EAP) provider ComPsych Corporation. According to the report, employees suffering from poor emotional health are less likely to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. “There is strong correlation between high stress/emotional issues and […]
Watch this video According to research from the Sun Life Financial health index, more than 80% of Canadians realize they have the opportunity to manage their own health, but 63% are engaging in three or more unhealthy behaviours on a regular basis. Lori Casselman, assistant vice-president, health and productivity solutions for Sun Life Financial, says […]