Introduction
A healthy workforce is crucial to the success of any organization. Poor employee health decreases productivity and increases healthcare costs. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost US employers $1,685 per employee per year. In this blog post, we will discuss the cost of poor employee health and how employers can use tools to improve employee health to solve this problem.
The Cost of Poor Employee Health
Poor employee health is costly to both employers and employees. Employees who suffer from chronic illnesses or injuries are more likely to miss work, resulting in lower productivity and increased healthcare costs. Moreover, according to a report by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), poor employee health costs employers $530 billion annually in the US. This cost includes absenteeism, presenteeism (being present at work but not fully functioning due to health issues), and disability.
Tools to Improve Employee Health
Employers can use various tools to improve employee health and reduce healthcare costs. One such tool is wellness programs. These programs promote healthy habits such as exercise and healthy eating, reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The CDC reports that employers can save an average of $3.27 in healthcare costs for every dollar spent on wellness programs.
Another tool that employers can use is telemedicine. Telemedicine allows employees to consult with healthcare providers remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits and saving time and money. This tool is particularly useful for employees who live far from healthcare providers or have difficulty scheduling appointments due to work obligations.
Finally, employers can use health risk assessments (HRAs) to identify employees who are at risk for chronic illnesses. HRAs are questionnaires that ask employees about their health habits and history. Employers can use the information gathered from these assessments to develop targeted interventions for at-risk employees, reducing the likelihood of future health problems.
The problem with Employee Health solutions
Let’s face it, they’re not that engaging because they often lack personalization and fail to take into account the unique needs and preferences of individual employees. To truly improve employee health, employers need to take a more personalized approach that addresses the specific health concerns and challenges of each employee. By doing so, they can create a more engaging and effective employee health program that delivers real results.
So how do we solve this? Visix is a health app that is conveniently available for use on Microsoft Teams. It helps employees stay on top of their health by tracking their HRV, heart rate, stress levels, and more. Additionally, employees can benefit from the app’s tips and suggestions, which can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and, in turn, increase productivity and job satisfaction.
Furthermore using Visix can help to curb healthcare costs by reducing the need for expensive and time-consuming medical interventions. By monitoring key health metrics, employees can catch potential health problems early and take steps to address them before they become more serious.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poor employee health is a significant problem that affects both employers and employees. However, by implementing tools such as wellness programs, telemedicine, and health risk assessments, employers can mitigate the impact of poor health on their workforce and their bottom line. But to truly improve employee health, employers need to take a more personalized approach that addresses the unique needs and preferences of individual employees. This is where Visix comes in – as a health app conveniently available on Microsoft Teams, Visix offers personalized health tracking, tips, and suggestions to help employees maintain a healthy lifestyle. By monitoring key health metrics, employees can catch potential health problems early and take steps to address them before they become more serious. Visix is the perfect solution for employers looking to create a more engaging and effective employee health program that delivers real results.
Nikhil Sehgal
