Healthy Workforce Act
I applaud the efforts of the people at Health Promotion Advocates to help create a more sustainable and healthy workplace.
However, according to a fact sheet on the new Health Workforce Act (S.XXX;H.R.1897),” many employers spend more on medical care than they earn in profits.” This makes no sense. It doesn’t just make it ‘difficult’ to compete, as they say, it makes it impossible to be in business.
I would like to see employers relinquish any responsibility to provide healthcare for employees. However, it’s in their self-interest to create a culture of wellness. Well-rested and fit employees make for sustainable productivity. I believe the effort should be on healthy workplace design. Gym memberships may have their place, but what can be done about the expectations of employees while they are at work? In China there are organized exercise breaks. Exercise shouldn’t be divorced from the normal workday. We certainly need more body awareness so we nip potential problems in the bud.
Humans have not evolved to sit at a computer or in a car all day.
B SCOTT MINOR, CHRS, CWCA, CWCC Said,
August 1, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Thank you. My father and I invested nearly 20 months ago in providing wellness coaching to our clients, friends and family members. The program has averaged 90% employee participation (voluntary) without paying employees a penny to participate. We have tested with a few select clients over the past 12 months and the results have proven everything we have read, researched and believed would happen. We are even seeing the wellness go straight into the homes of the employees affecting lifestyle of family members. We are seeing regional health providers’ step up and offer discounts to employers to help pay for our program, not to mention work comp carriers. American’s need someone who will listen… to coax, encourage and inspire them to take a small step towards creating a healthier lifestyle. When 90% of employees are volunteering to participate, not because they are receiving money to do so, but because they know that wellness is the solution… the evidence becomes overwhelming. We believe in wellness and are proud that you are leading the way. Together we can – B. Scott & Richard V. Minor (SM3GDC@Gmail.com)