Hold the donuts
3/23/2004

Why you should take an interest in your workers’ health

Today’s convenience-hungry, sedentary lifestyle has produced a nation of fast-food junkies and couch potatoes. In fact, approximately 61% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the 1999 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. But why should family business owners care about their workers’ health habits? Showing an interest in your employees’ diets and exercise regimens will not only increase morale but also cut business expenses.

Because excess weight increases the risks for many health problems, medical spending for weight-related problems is growing, which may mean increased health insurance premiums and related costs for your company. Plus, unplanned employee absences cost “American employers nearly $200 billion a year in lost output and related costs,” according to a 2003 report by the Disability Management Employer Coalition. And fit employees are generally more productive.

To help your workers adopt healthier lifestyles, consider these cost-effective strategies:

Offer screenings. Many workers may not realize they have health problems. Raise their awareness by offering screenings for weight, body fat, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol in your office or at a nearby facility.

Provide nutritional and exercise counseling. Educate employees on the benefits of exercise and healthier eating. For instance, remind them to use the stairs and walk when possible as well as choose fruits and vegetables over candy bars and donuts when snacking during work hours. Also, offer tips for healthy dining when traveling.

Change your workplace. Remove temptation by serving nutritional choices in your vending machines and cafeteria and at meetings. Offering an on-site fitness center or walking trail that employees can use on breaks may be more expensive, but they could have a greater effect on workers’ waist lines and your bottom line through improved productivity.

Motivate workers. Consider offering incentives to shape up, such as reduced insurance premiums or co-payments, discounted health club memberships, or health-spa gift certificates.

Some employees may have underlying medical conditions that require special treatment, so advise them to discuss new health regimens with their.

(The previous article was general in nature, and we recommend any reader consult with their tax advisor as to the specific application of this information to their particular facts and circumstances. This article is based authorities which are subject to change, and accordingly, should not be relied upon. Any tax advice included in this article was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by any governmental taxing authority or agency)

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