Rising Medical Care costs show no signs of slowing in the near future. Hewitt projects Medical Care costs will jump another 9.9% in 2006, amounting to more than $11,000 per family. More than 90% of upper management see increasing Medical Care costs as a genuine employer issue that their employer needs to address.
The current Medical Care climate represents an ideal opportunity for employers to reevaluate their Corporate Wellness offerings and consider the more systemic approach of a robust Corporate Wellness . Despite the large number of employers that claim to offer disease management or Corporate Wellness activities, as of 2005 only 23% of staff members were eligible for Corporate Wellness and only 13% were provided access to a fitness center through work. This is despite evidence that nearly two-thirds of staff members would be open to enrolling in programs that encourage healthier lifestyles.
Corporate Wellness Programs are a chance for employers to differentiate themselves from competitors by increasing productiveness, cutting costs and establishing a healthier work environment that is valued by current and prospective staff members. Nearly 1/3 of staff members polled in a 2004 study by MetLife given benefits as an important reason why they decided to work for their employer and 38% said it is among the top reasons they remain at their work.
Gary Grates, global director of Edelman’s Change and Employee Program Engagement Group, notes, “The return on investment in a Corporate Wellness extends well beyond monetary Medical Care savings. These programs can play a essential role in creating a more engaged workplace environment where staff members are aligned with employer goals/objectives.
Corporate Wellness can represent more than a human resources(HR) plan, they can be a bold symbol of what you as a employer stand for.” To date, employers have viewed Corporate Wellness as merely another benefit to be managed by the human resources(HR) department. Nevertheless, executives, and their employers, would be better served by adopting a more strategic and integrated approach to Corporate Wellness . Organizations that are able to develop Corporate Wellness based on sound assessment, work within existing regulations, and engage staff members around initiatives, will reap valuable rewards in terms of cost savings and long-term strength.
Golds Gym Corporate Wellness Center
15 Industrial Drive
Middletown NY 10941
845-344-4653
