Productivity

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 »

Odds are your employees aren’t actually allergic to work. But if they exhibit signs that suggest otherwise, it might be time to look into your office’s air quality.

Symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itching, headaches, and fatigue can be directly related to poor air quality. Office environments are notorious for having inadequate ventilation, one of the … Continue Reading »

Rise, shine, and dine! New research shows that adding some fat to your breakfast might actually help you control your weight and prevent some serious health problems.

In the study, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham fed mice a high-fat meal upon waking and decreased their fat intake at subsequent meals, while altering the … 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 »

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle in your office can really add up.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2000, the total cost (direct and indirect) attributable to obesity was estimated at $117 billion.
And medical expenses for obese employees are estimated to be between 29% and 117% greater than medical expenses for employees with a healthy … 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 »

Look around your office: Are you noticing your employees yawning, or getting a fifth cup of coffee to stay alert?
Your company may lose millions in lost productivity due to lack of focus and feeling tired at work from inadequate sleep and poor lifestyle choices.
Help your employees avoid daytime sleepiness by sending out an e-mail with … Continue Reading »

Health experts say walking 10,000 steps a day, or about five miles, can dramatically cut the risk for life threatening diseases such as Type 2 diabetes or obesity, which can help your company save money on lost productivity and rising healthcare costs.
Encourage employees to incorporate these “steps” into their regular routine at work by tacking … Continue Reading »

You may not realize it, but lifestyle choices made by your employees can really impact your company’s bottom line.
Life threatening conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cancer can lead to lost productivity, and rising medical costs.
The good news is that these diseases may be prevented with a healthy (and smoke free!) diet and exercise program.

To know … Continue Reading »

According to the 2009 edition of the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts, U.S. workers are actually safer on the job than in their homes or communities.
Take the time to remind employees that accidents do happen outside of work. And accidents can lead to injury, rising healthcare costs, and even death.
Last year, employers lost 75 million … Continue Reading »