HR Health & Safety FAQ

Questions:

• How does the “play or pay” provision of the health care reform law work?
• What does OSHA require employers to do?
• Is every employee injury covered by workers’ compensation?
• Should our company prohibit employees from using their cell phones for business while driving?
• What are repetitive stress disorders?
• Is alcoholism a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
• Are there inexpensive ways to encourage healthy habits in our employees?
• What are the benefits of adopting a workplace wellness program?

Answer:

What are the benefits of adopting a workplace wellness program?

There are many ways a workplace wellness program can help improve employee health – and cut costs for your business. Healthier employees have fewer absences and higher productivity. (And, they’re less likely to commit the workplace sin of “presenteeism”: coming to work ill, where they’re unable to get much done beyond infecting their coworkers.) Employees whose employers promote health and fitness are more likely to be satisfied in their jobs. And, the cost of health insurance is significantly less for healthy employees. For information on how unhealthy employees can cost your company, see Nolo’s article Could Poor Employee Health Be Hurting Your Business? For information on the benefits of workplace wellness initiatives, see Nolo’s article How a Wellness Program Can Help Your Business’s Bottom Line.