Jan Collins
y\lhy more and more U.S. companies are deciding that the workplace is an ideal
setting to address health and wellness issues.
•here's no question that Fact: Stress, whether generated dent Insurance Company in Colum-
workplace wellness is at home or at work, can be a killer. bia, South Carolina, "have lower lev-
I ^worth it. The only question What are U.S. companies doing els of stress; increased well-being,
is whether you're going to do it today about these interrelated issues? self-image and self-esteem;
or tomorrow. If you keep say- improved physical fit-
ing you're going to do it ness; better stamina;
tomorrow, you'll never do it. and potential weight
You have to get on it today.'" reduction."^
And, university
-Warren Buffett studies show that for
Chairman, Berkshire Hath- every $1 spent on
away wellness programs,
employers can expect
Fact: It costs U.S. employ- an average return of
ers billions of dollars annually about $3 — the result
to provide their workers with of less worker absen-
health insurance, and the cost teeism and fewer
will continue to increase — by workers' compensa-
an estimated 12 to 14 percent tion and health care
each year. A variety of workout machines are available for Colonial Life's 1,000 claims.
Fact: Expenses associated employees. Because the major-
with medical claims, disability, lost More and more are turning to corpo- ity of Americans "spend most of their
productivity, and unscheduled rate wellness programs. Today, more waking hours at work," says Mont-
absences cost U.S. employers at than 81 percent of U.S. businesses gomery, "the worksite provides an
least $13 billion a year.-' with 50 or more employees have ideal setting to address health and
Fact: The "desk-bound office some form of health promotion pro- well-being."^
lifestyle" can lead to obesity, heart gram, although their breadth and for-
disease, diabetes, and other health mats vary widely.' History
problems.' Healthy employees, says Don Employee wellness programs had
Fact: Obesity is fast becoming Montgomery, assistant vice presi- their genesis in the executive fitness
the biggest health problem in Ameri- dent and director of human programs begun in the 1970s to
ca. resources for Colonial Life and Acci- keep top management teams fit. As
Jan Collins is Editor of the Bus/ness &
Economic Review.