Improve employee productivity through better health
March 17, 2014 8:39 AM
1. Health risks lower productivity
Employees with high-risk health factors had on average 77% more annual absences than low-risk individuals. And those with medium-risk had 40% more absences than their low-risk counterparts on a yearly average. Employees with medium- or high-risk health issues also had dramtically higher presenteeism rates, meaning they came to work but suffered limited productivity levels.
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2. Productivity loss by lifestyle risk factor
Smokers cost their company $326 in annual net lost productivity. Following that lifestyle risk factor, high blood pressure cost $230 in net lost productivity.
3. Productivity loss by health condition
Health conditions, like cancer, bronchitis and depression also cost employers in lost productivity. The study determined that net productivity losses were $158-$1,601 more per year for each person with a health risk or condition. This added up to $3.8 million in productivity loss for a typical large employer with 10,000 employees. People with a condition or risk missed on average two days of work due to illness and nine days due to limited performance at work.
4. Health promotion programs saved employer money
Individuals who participated in a health promotion program and successfully improved their health care or lifestyle showed significant improvements in lost work time. Specifically, Optum program participants were more productive than those who were eligible to participate but did not and on average experienced productivity savings per participant of $353 per year.
