Mind & Body
Managing the Work/Life Balance with Corporate Wellness Programs
by Katie Harrington
The average American works 47 hours each week. We spend more time at work than anywhere else, making a healthy work/life balance a challenge. With the New Year just around the corner, many will make a healthier lifestyle their top priority for 2014. Making time to be healthier will be one of the top deterrents to the success of this resolution, but there’s a way for companies to help their employees stick to their goals while gaining some benefits. “A corporate wellness program is an important tool to help employees establish balance,” says Louise McDaniel, workplace wellness coordinator with CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. “There are many options out there as far as programs go, but the common goal is to promote the well-being of employees, employers and the organization in general.”
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As corporate wellness programs become more common, companies are beginning to realize some tremendous benefits. “One of the most positive results is a reduction in the rate of illness and injuries among employees,” McDaniel says. “Unhealthy employees are more apt to experience work-related injuries like muscle strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, stress fractures and back pain. They are also more susceptible to developing longterm illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and even stroke.” Some other benefits to company-wide wellness programs include reductions in absenteeism and healthcare costs, increased productivity and retention of key employees.
December 2013