Wellness programs key to surviving economy

Posted by Karrey Britt February 2, 2009 at 12:17 p.m.

Wellness programs key to surviving economy

No pay increase. Increased workloads. Job instability.These are the symptoms of a bad economy and can lead to depression. Depression tends to lead to unhealthy habits such as overeating, smoking and drinking.Fiona Gathright, founder of Wellness Corporate Solutions, said the best thing companies can do to help their employees and strengthen their bottom lines is to offer wellness programs. “The overall health picture of a company has the single greatest effect on productivity,” Gathright said in a press release. “With the economy in a crisis, the most effective way to combat the temporary illness is to prepare the work force for the difficult conditions they will be working within from the inside out.”Here’s why:• Wellness programs are an inexpensive way to help employees cope with the stress related to mounting economic insecurity.• It is important to maintain and expand employee wellness programs because unhealthy lifestyle habits — gaining weight, smoking more and inactivity — will result in a double whammy for companies under financial stress. It will increase health care costs at a time when they can ill afford them, and it will reduce productivity from a stressed out work force.• Wellness programs are a great way for employers to show they care about their employees and a great way to nurture the people they need to keep running a business.• Companies need to be poised and ready to compete when the economy turns around. They will need to be able to attract and retain good workers. Wellness programs are an integral part of this.The Kansas Health Policy Authority received an award from the Institute for Health and Productivity Management for its wellness program.

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