Obesity has become a growing concern in America.
And health care costs associated with keeping overweight employees on the payroll have prompted many companies to offer financial incentives for workers to lose weight or get healthier in other ways.
In fact, at least a third of U.S. companies offer financial incentives, or are planning to introduce them for that very reason.
There are lots of ways to attack the issue. Some businesses offer money, while others offer vacation trips. Still others refund the cost of Weight Watchers classes or reduce health insurance premiums for employees who get fit.
"I've got clients who have exercise equipment or gyms at their facilities," said Jim Potts, owner and CEO of Potts & Associates Inc., a Pasadena-based company that provides HR consulting to employers. "People can go and get some exercise during lunch, on breaks or after work."
Potts said there are plenty of good reasons for employers to help their workers become healthier.
"If they have a strong work force there'll be less health-related issues or excessive absenteeism," he said. "That can drive up drive up costs."
A fitness program can also help stabilize a company's work force.
"We are seeing more and more people living longer and working longer," Potts said. "Turnover can be a problem, but if you have healthier people you won't have as much of a turnover."
Southern California Edison has long
been proactive in promoting employee health.
"We provide preventive health screening in our medical coverage," said Barbara Decker, SCE's director of benefits. "We have baby well care, mamorgraphies for women and other kinds of preventative services that are available at no cost. We also offer reimbursements of up to $400 a year to employees who spend money in the preventative arena."
SCE employees who enroll in weight-management or nutritional programs stand to benefit.
"We also try to encourage more physical activity among family members," Decker said. "If you want to join a gym we'll cover the cost of that membership. And if you want to take yoga, Pilates or dance -- anything that will increase your physical activity -- we'll cover the cost of membership." That kind of holistic approach, she said, can save businesses money. "When you talk about health care, a very significant portion of the costs come from the lifestyle decisions we all make," she said. "If employees are overweight, inactive or they smoke, that can typically lead to greater health care costs -- and potential disability costs." Obesity kills more Americans every year than AIDS, all cancers and all accidents combined, according to the American Medical Association. Bob Machuca, a regional manager for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said local businesses are addressing employee health in a number of ways. "I'm seeing more ergonomics in the way the equipment and chairs are set up," he said. "I've seen some offices where they have stand-up desks where employees can work standing up if they want. You can raise and lower it." Other manufacturing companies have portable basketball hoops that are set up for employees who want to play during breaks or lunch, Machuca said. "A lot of it comes down to doing more with less," he said. "If employees are healthy they take less time off and they'll look forward to coming to work because they feel better." // var ranNum = Math.round(Math.random()*1000000); document.write('http://content.yellowbrix.com/images/content/cimage.nsp?ctype=full_story&story_id=146726279&id=thirdage&ip_id=McClatchy-Tribune+Business+News&source_id=San+Gabriel+Valley+Tribune&category=Healthcare&random=' + (ranNum));// ]]>//
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