Harvard Business Review Applauds Workplace Wellness Program
Many independent studies have shown that a well-run workplace wellness program can have a 6 to 1 return on investment. That ratio was also found to be true in the most recent issue of Harvard Business Review.
The article highlighted the CEO Cancer Gold Standard, as an example of a high quality, signature program that can boost the overall effectiveness of a broad spectrum of workplace wellness initiatives. The article, “What’s the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs?” showed that the return on investment (ROI) of effective workplace wellness programs can be as high as 6 to 1.
The article cites a study of the well respected CEO Cancer Gold Standard, which calls for companies to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to fight cancer in the workplace. To earn Gold Standard accreditation, a company must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by discouraging tobacco use; encouraging physical activity; promoting healthy diet and nutrition; detecting cancer at its earliest stages; and providing access to quality care, including participation in clinical trials.
Click here to read the wellness program study from the December, 2010 Harvard Business Review article.
Wellness programs pay for themselves many times over, in reduced medical costs, healthier employees, a cut in absenteeism, improved morale and increased employee retention. Why would any company that offers health coverage to its employees not take a serious look at what is available in terms of wellness programs and try to implement a program right away?
Here’s to a healthier workforce.