Every business has concerns about employee absenteeism. You can provide a safe working environment, and that certainly helps, but most of the employees are absent or are injured from instances outside the work environment. Health benefits might extend beyond a comprehensive and affordable employee benefit, but how might you encourage wellness among your employees in the most cost effective manner?

Weight Loss
Obesity causes a large number of distinct medical problems. It can lead to high blood pressure that can cause heart attacks and strokes. It can lead to diabetes with its own unique complications, and it can reduce energy, negatively influence mental concentration and supreme emotional upheaval for your employees. It can also cause increased medical expenses as employees seek treatment for these conditions.

Walking
Health and wellness experts have long proclaimed the benefits of walking. Normally low-impact, this exercise can be enjoyed in almost any environment, indoors or out. Encourage walking for five minutes during employee breaks or 20 minutes during employee lunch breaks. Institute a stairway program where your employees take the stairs instead of the elevator each day.

You can offer benefit incentives to enroll and actively and consistently participate. Possible “bennies” might include reduced medical plan premiums, status awards or cash bonuses. Any reward that encourages your employees regularly and continuously will have greater odds of success in increased employee presence than a simple mention in the company newsletter or a notice on a bulletin board in the break room. Remember that there is a difference between recognition and reward.

Your benefits come in reduced medical costs, increased employee attendance and elevated profits. Learn more about employee wellness programs at incentahealth.com.