| June 2008 |
| Even Insured Employees Feel The Pinch |
| Only 7 percent financially prepared for future health care needs |
It is easy to see how the rising cost of health care is impacting the economy as a whole. Many surveys also show that on a more individual level, even those who are insured are feeling more financially squeezed than ever before
when it comes to health care.
A tracking poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in April of 2008 showed that a third of those surveyed said paying for health care and health insurance was a problem for them.
A recent article in The New York Times said,
"Many of the 158 million people covered by employer health insurance are struggling to meet medical expenses that are much higher than they used to be often because of some combination of higher premiums, less extensive coverage, and
bigger out-of-pocket deductibles and co-payments.
With medical costs soaring, the coverage many people have may not adequately protect them from the financial shock of an emergency room visit or a major surgery. For some, even routine doctor visits might now take a back seat to basic
expenses like food and gasoline."
Such stories are obviously very disturbing when we think about the impact this has on employees, their families and the work culture that organizations have worked so hard to create.
What can we do to change things?
Fundamentally, many of the illnesses driving so much of our nation's medical expenses costs are preventable; however, preventable doesn't equal intentional.
No one wants to be seriously ill or in pain. According to the International Labor Organization, Americans work and commute longer hours than any other industrialized nation.
"Preventable" illness happens because people don't have the information, time, support, or the ability to consistently make healthy choices that seem fun, easy, and likely to fit into their busy lives.
Any successful wellness program requires a comprehensive approach and strategy that is realistic, widespread and helps people to change their habits. It has to be easy for employees. It has to be fun. It has to seem do-able and be
communicated constantly. Even If stemming the tide seems like too much hard work, it is work worth doing.
When something as simple as walking three hours a week cuts the risk of dying from breast cancer in half, how can you not choose to help employees get serious about transforming their health? |
| Read The New York Times Article » |
| Case Study: Yoga With the CEO |
| Make Employee Relations Easier With Recess |
The graph below shows how important job candidates report an employee wellness program would be in their decision to take or remain in a job.
And while it is great to get employees in the door, just about any seasoned HR professional will tell you that employees don't ultimately quit jobs, but they do quit supervisors and job conditions.
Wellness can also play a role in preventing fast-paced work environments from becoming a revolving door for talent.
In September 2007, Inc. magazine ranked eROI one of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Only a month later eROI Landed 10 new clients and hired 10 new employees in a span of 10 weeks, nearly doubling in size over the next
several months.
The company's rapid growth posed a challenge to the cohesive culture that the eROI team had worked so hard to build. They brought Recess on-site to provide weekly yoga - a key cultural component of their evolving corporate talent retention
strategy. |
| Read more about eROI » |
| June 19 is Recess at Work Day! |
| Fun is a great way to manage stress. |
Did you know that people who report feeling stressed are also more likely to suffer from a whole host of disease symptoms?
And in a typical chicken-and-egg style paradox, the keys to managing stress (i.e. moderate exercise, good diet, and rest) are often the first things to go when most of us are feeling under pressure.
Work plays a major factor in many people's stress levels and it is also the place where we spend most of our waking hours. What if work were actually a place that helped us to keep our stress in check?
June 19 is Recess at Work Day!
Plan a fun activity, a relaxing class, or just take a walk with a co-worker to help manage your stress and make life a little more enjoyable - even at work!
|
| Read How One Recess Client Will Celebrate » |
|
|
