Giving Your Employees Tools for A Healthy Workplace
February 23, 2023 | Winston
February is American Heart Month, and while this month is an excellent time for employers to advocate for heart health, it should also be a priority year-round. One way to achieve that is through employee benefits that support heart and overall health. But don’t take our word for it; check out these statistics and research findings that companies should know to better understand the link between heart health and the workplace and what benefits can support the health and well-being of their workers.
According to the Corporate Wellness Magazine, cutting employees’ risk of heart disease leads to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, higher ability to attract a quality workforce, and reduced medical cost.
Cardiovascular disease is a severe condition that can affect employee performance, productivity, and general quality of life. Employers can take the initiative to promote heart health within their workforce by encouraging movement breaks, promoting a less stressful environment, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle in and out of the office.
57% of workers with high health risks became low-risk after completing a work-provided exercise program.
For employers looking to take a more active approach to addressing employee health, providing them with practical health and wellness programs can help kickstart employees on their journey to a healthier lifestyle. Programs such as employer-funded gym memberships, benefits that support stress relief, and even stipends for healthy groceries are all options for employers looking to encourage healthier workers.
According to research from Quelch and colleagues and published in a report by the Journal of the American Heart Association, the extent to which companies promote health follows four dimensions: employee; environment; consumer; and community health and well-being.
How a company promotes heart health goes beyond how they support their employees, it’s also about how they encourage a heart-healthy environment, community, and message to their consumers. For that reason, businesses should align themselves with cardiovascular health vendors, such as Hello Heart, an app that allows patients to take control of their health from their smartphones, to ensure they are taking a robust stance on their commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle for their employees and the overall communities they serve.
Invest in heart-healthy initiatives year-round to give your employees benefits that promote health and wellness while still being accessible and affordable!
Disclaimer: This content is strictly informational and should not be used as specific advice on insurance products, legal, accounting, and/or tax related matters. Insureds should always contact the appropriate licensed professional for their insurance, legal, accounting, or tax needs.
