Absenteeism

Your employees’ aching backs can hit you where it hurts.

Back pain is one of the top reasons cited for missed workdays and doctor’s visits, according to the Mayo Clinic. And most people will experience it at some time in their lives.

Whether it’s a chronic low-grade ache or pain caused by strain or injury, back pain … Continue Reading »

A major cause of missed workdays and lost productivity might be right under your nose.

The culprit? Asthma and allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma (that’s one in 15), and half of all asthma cases are classified as “allergic-asthma,” meaning the problems … Continue Reading »

If you haven’t given much thought to the way your office’s workstations are set up, it may be time to explore the basics of ergonomics. Good ergonomics play an important role in keeping your workers comfortable, healthy, and able to focus on their jobs–not their aching backs.

The benefits of ergonomics go beyond creating a safer … Continue Reading »

Calculating the cost of diabetes goes far beyond what can be measured in dollars.

While the monetary expenditures are eye-opening–totaling approximately $116 billion, according to the American Diabetes Association–the indirect costs of the disease are just as troubling.

American Diabetes Association statistics indicate that diabetes accounts for 15 million lost workdays and a startling … Continue Reading »

Spring is the peak time for allergies, but indoor allergens can cause year-round trouble. Allergy symptoms are a leading cause of absenteeism; afflicted employees may miss up to 32 hours a week when pollen counts are high. Those who show up at work may be less productive, as both allergies and medications can cause drowsiness.

To … Continue Reading »

Are you doing all you can to promote workplace wellness to keep employees safe, healthy and productive?
It might be time for an honest evaluation.
Below are important steps that many companies are taking to encourage wellness. Check off all that apply to your workplace:
1. Work environments are well-ventilated, and there are areas that allow in plenty … Continue Reading »

Attention wellness coordinators: Recent research suggests employees will stay at their job longer, and decrease sick days, if they participate in a wellness program at work.

In a study from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, participants involved in either moderate or intense weight management programs at work, decreased sick days from 3.9 days … Continue Reading »

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 3.7 million work-related injuries and illness in 2008.
While this number is alarming and represents substantial loss of workforce productivity, it’s the lowest number reported in five years.
Here’s the skinny: 1.1 million workers were hurt severely enough to require time off, which was down 7% from 2007. Ergonomic problem … Continue Reading »

Damaging behaviors like smoking, Internet overload, stress, and overall bad lifestyle choices can hinder productivity and drive up health care costs for your business.
Here are a few tips on how to help employees curb bad habits in the workplace:
Smoking. U.S. businesses are paying an estimated $3,391 extra per smoker per year in direct medical costs … Continue Reading »

According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), some 90% of workers said headaches affect their work performance, but only 33% report the discomfort to their employers.
In this study by the NHF, participants said they missed anywhere between one to three days a month due to headaches, and 86% said work-related headache issues have never been … Continue Reading »