Lexington, KY - Companies could become more profitable through workplace health and safety programs that boost employee morale, attendance and retention. That was one message conveyed at the fourth annual Kentucky Worksite Wellness Conference in Lexington.
“All decisions are driven through the question, ‘What is best for the employee’s personal health and safety? How can we best protect an individual’s and the organization’s health and safety?’” Carol Donnelly, president of KC Wellness, told one breakout session at the conference, which was held at Lexington’s Griffin Gate Marriott.
Talking about how safety and wellness go hand in hand, Donnelley told the crowd that in 2007, occupational illnesses cost 5,500 lives in the United States and work-related illnesses were responsible for another 49,000 deaths. In 2006, said Donnelley, employers spent $7.6 billion in workers’ compensation, plus more in lost time and productivity.
“Fifty percent of working Americans have more than two chronic health conditions, and 30 percent have three or more. This is a segment [that] may be the most experienced and valuable of the workforce,” said Donnelley. “Every dollar spent on workers’ medical costs has a concurrent two- or three-dollar effect on productivity loss and absenteeism.”
There is also what she termed “the lights are on but nobody’s home” syndrome, where sick or injured workers don’t stay home when they should, come to work and are not productive.
Sleep apnea is another danger, and it doesn’t just affect truck and bus drivers.
“I’ve seen the lack of sleep reported at a much higher rate than ever before. It’s not just shift workers; it’s everyone in society. We’re doing emails at 11 o’clock at night or five in the morning and getting text messages when we’re trying to sleep,” explained Donnelley. “Lack of sleep is a significant risk factor for being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart
disease.”
Drug abuse in a worker’s personal life or at work is increasing. Drug abusers are 50 percent more likely to have an accident on the job. It’s a particular problem in Kentucky, but it’s seen all over the country.
“Seventy-seven percent of all drug abusers are employed,” said Donnelley.
So don’t assume drug abusers are unemployed, homeless addicts. They may be working right alongside you.
Jenny Whitis is human resources director at Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance, which provides workers’ comp insurance to 20,000 Kentucky businesses. She presented a talk on best health-and-wellness practices for companies with between 50 and 200 employees.
“We focus on getting our employees up and moving and encouraging them to take control of their health,” Whitis said.
KEMI has an annual health fair and encourages employees to get involved in community walks and runs. There is a point system for participation and prize drawings. They also urge workers to get an annual physical, limit caffeine and sugar, to exercise and to get into a weight-loss program, if necessary. KEMI manages it all on a small budget.
“It gives us a healthier workforce. Our absences have gone down somewhat. It builds camaraderie among employees and promotes good health,” said Whitis.
KEMI tells its policyholders to control their own destiny. If they provide a safe work environment for their employees, then workers’ comp costs will drop.
“We try to lead by example with our own employees,” Whitis said. “You have to have buy-in from senior management. But it is an employee-driven program, and they’ve taken it on with passion.”
But not all employees naturally gravitate toward healthy lifestyle practices, another expert told attendees in their session. Sue Stainbrook, manager of research and informatics at Principal Wellness Company, asked the crowd whether their companies’ corporate health culture was actually sabotaging employees’ efforts to develop good health practices.
“Creating a culture of health has been an emphasis over the last few years. It’s the last critical pillar of a wellness program,” said Stainbrook. “It’s top-down, bottom-up. It has to work both ways.”
Stainbrook said we are all creatures of our environment, and if that work environment is not conducive to helping people make easy, healthy choices, “then it’s never going to happen.” Stainbrook agreed fast-food companies have a challenge with their employees, considering the type of food they serve, but that many at least now offer healthier menu choices.
Smoking is another cultural thing in the workplace.
“If you’re encouraging your people not to smoke but you’re not supporting them with smoking cessation classes or nicotine replacement therapy reimbursement, then it’s hard for them to do that,” Stainbrook said.
Georgetown College is considering offering a smoking cessation class, but the idea is just in the formative stage. Eric Karls, faculty/staff health and wellness coordinator at the college, heard a lecture about it. He learned how smoking has an economic impact on employers.
“Smokers, non-smokers and tobacco users — everybody knows it’s not good for you,” said Karls. “If we want to help people quit, we need a multitude of avenues they can take. You can’t force it on anybody.”