Why worksite wellness? More and more companies are building world class wellness programs as poor health continues to take an enormous toll on American businesses. The reality is, the workplace is an ideal setting for health promotion and disease prevention programs. In fact, of the nation’s 203 million people over the age of 16, 136 million are employed in the US workforce. Additionally, Americans spend a substantial amount of time at work (nearing 50 hours per week) and – as a result – the workplace emerges as an ideal setting to address issues of health and wellness.
Consider the following statistics:
- It costs an employer on average $1300 per year for an employee who smokes.
- Workplace alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use costs US companies over $100 billion each year.
- Up to 40% of industrial fatalities can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.
- Job stress is estimated to cost American industry $200-300 billion annually.
- The National Safety Council estimates that 1 million employees are absent on an average workday because of stress related problems.
- Work injuries cost $121 billion in medical care, lost productivity and wages.
- At least 100 million workdays are lost each year to lower back pain at a cost to the employers of about $20 billion.
