WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
Power-Up Your Employee Productivity:
The Case for Wellness
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Wellness and the workplace go hand in hand when it comes to productivity. In today’s economy, we all need to do more with less and maximizing output and efficiency is key to a well-run business. Employees are the epicenter of productivity and when their health is at risk due to illness or disease, productivity is directly affected, as is the company’s success. Improving health via wellness programs or other tools in the workplace that target nutrition, fitness and work/life balance may increase productivity and ultimately save companies millions of dollars in both healthcare and business costs.
A Case for Health
More than 109 million Americans report having at least one of seven chronic diseases–cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions and mental disorders1. This translates into 162 million cases each year and $1.3 trillion spent annually on these diseases1. Of this cost, $1.1 trillion or 85 percent accounts for lost productivity at the workplace and an additional $277 billion is spent on treatment1.
By 2023 there will be an estimated 42 percent rise in the number of cases of the seven chronic diseases1 leading to $4.2 trillion in treatment costs and lost economic output1. While a part of these costs go directly to medical care, the lost productivity is composed of absenteeism (lost workdays) and presenteeism, defined as lost productivity when employees are at work but their performance is below par due to physical or mental illness. Employees show up, but are not able to perform their job function with maximum efficiency. Some examples that may influence presenteeism include back pain, arthritis, allergies, depression and personal or professional relationships that affect an employee’s ability to focus.
How do we increase productivity to increase yield and decrease business costs? Major factors affecting productivity include attitude, health, environment and technology, employee relationships and downsizing2. By providing employees with the correct tools, employers have the potential to directly affect the first 4 of these 5 factors and save on annual costs. So how do we address nutrition, fitness and work/life balance to promote productivity?
Eat your way to increased productivity
The body runs on fuel derived from the foods and beverages we choose. Employees make multiple decisions each day about the foods and beverages they consume and each bite enhances or detracts from health and productivity. Choosing the right combination of foods as well as the correct portion sizes can translate into improved focus, concentration and energy in the workplace. This is accomplished by stabilizing sugar levels (or glucose) in the bloodstream to provide a steady release of energy in the body to help an employee stay focused. The goal is to abandon energy spikes and drops that hinder performance. Eating high sugar food items such as candy bars–abundant in office vending machines–or high calorie, high fat foods such as pastries, cakes, muffins and sweet coffee treats–often found in the office kitchen–can drain energy levels leaving employees lethargic and unable to concentrate.
To improve energy and avoid that mid-afternoon slump, employees should be encouraged to trade high fat, sugary choices such as candy, soda, chips and other refined carbohydrates for more nutritious, better balanced choices. Employees who choose yogurt, low sugar granola bars, low fat cheese with whole grain crackers, vegetables with hummus or peanut butter with an apple will experience more balanced sugar levels, help keep energy levels stable, stay full longer and maintain optimum focus.
Pump Up Productivity with Fitness
Planned exercise on most days of the week can improve time management and mood which may support a more positive and creative work environment, as well as improved concentration and energy3. All of these can lead to higher quality work. It’s important to incorporate all aspects of fitness including flexibility, cardiovascular exercise and strength training into a workout routine for overall wellness. A combination of these three components work together to relieve stress, improve strength, boost endurance of the heart and lungs, elevate mood, alleviate fatigue and reduce tightening or tension of muscles that may lead to headaches, neck aches and backaches4,5,6. Encouraging employees to schedule work outs, take “wellness breaks” and educating them about simple stretches they can do at their desk can help motivate them to be physically active and improve their health.
Stress Less - Achieving Work/Life Balance
Increased stress can translate into a lowered immune response, high blood pressure and restless nights which influence an employee’s presenteeism and absenteeism. Direct effects of stress also lead to low energy levels, poor decision making, tardiness, illness, burnout, decreased productivity and problems with relationships4. Eating well and exercising are two key factors in alleviating stress; and adequate sleep–at least 7 hours each night–can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity7. Finding a work/life balance that helps reduce stress is crucial to the healthy, happy and productive atmosphere that companies should strive for.
Finding time in the day to recharge, clear the mind and relax can give an employee a fresh outlook on a project and improve work output and quality. Teach employees to deal with stress by establishing goals and priorities, scheduling the week (including exercise) and communicating effectively and efficiently with co-workers and in personal relationships. Efficient communication involves being direct, managing calls and emails and being proactive.
Several factors promote productivity in the workplace and decrease the associated preventable economic costs. Educating your employee population about how and when to make changes can positively impact employee health, office morale and thus lead to higher quality work, increased output and reduced company costs. Providing the right tools, environment and education in the workplace can empower employees to not only make important decisions regarding their health but also potentially reduce the presence of absenteeism and presenteeism. Employees drive a business and employers who maximize health and wellness in the workplace have the potential to maximize profits while improving employee satisfaction. A win-win for everyone!
About the author:
Debra Wein, MS, RD, LDN, CWPD, is president and founder of Wellness Workdays, Inc., a leading provider of worksite wellness programs. Wein is a nationally recognized expert on health and wellness. She is a Certified Wellness Program Director through the National Wellness Institute and WebMD, and has nearly 20 years of experience working in the health and wellness industry. In addition, she is certified as a personal trainer by The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM-HFI) and The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT*D). Debra holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in nutritional sciences from Cornell and Columbia Universities.
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http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/publications.taf?function=detail&ID=38801018&cat=ResRep
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GIL 2011: Europe
London, United Kingdom
May 17-18, 2011
GIL 2011: Japan
Tokyo, Japan
July 12, 2011
GIL 2011: Korea
Seoul, Korea
July 14, 2011
GIL 2011: Africa
Cape Town, Africa
August 25, 2011
GIL 2011: Silicon Valley
San Jose, CA
September 11-14, 2011
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