Employee absenteeism reduces productivity, thus increasing cost for employers. Workplace health promotion programs can improve employee’s health risks so that they often experience better overall health and therefore have significantly fewer illness-related absences from work. In one study, the average decline in sick days of those that participated in a fitness plan was 4.8 days, the non-participating control group showed no reduction in absenteeism. In another study there was a significant linear trend showing absenteeism reduction with increasing years of program participation. Another study showed a 47.5% reduction in hourly employee absenteeism over six years.

References: Edington, D.W.-Emerging research: a view from one research center. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2001, May-June 15(5). 341-349

Lechner, L., deVries, H., Adriaansen, S., Drabbels, L.-Effects of an employee fitness program on reduced absenteeism. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 1997, 39; 827-831

Knight, KK., Goetzel, R.Z., Fielding, J.E. et al -An Evaluation of Duke University’s LIVE FOR LIFE Health Promotion Program on changes in worker absenteeism. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 36:5, May, 1994

Bertera, R.L. - Planning and implementing health promotion in the workplace a case study of the Du Pont company experience. Health Education Quarterly, 1990, Fall 17 (3); 307-327

Health and fitness promotion services contribute to significant positive changes in employee attitudes toward organizational commitment, co-workers, supervisors, working conditions, job competence and job security. In addition, Employee attitudes toward personal health behaviors improved.

References: Holzbach, R.L., Piserchia, P.V., McFadden, D.W. et al - Effect of a comprehensive health promotion program on employee attitudes. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 1990, 32 (10): 973-978

Manring, S.L. - Evaluating corporate wellness and promotion programs; the cases of Johnson & Johnson Corporation and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Health Matrix. 1985, 3 (2): 28:34

The best results for increasing employee physical activity were obtained when counseling was offered to inactive employees, combined with peer support and opportunities to exercise with others at work. In the Johnson & Johnson ‘Live for Life’ program, which included fitness centers and exercise programs, daily energy expenditure in vigorous activities increased by 104%. Other positive gains in exercise adherence were shown by Exxon Physical Fitness Lab, Canadian Life Assurance company and General Motors.

Reference: Blair, S.N., Piserchia, M.S. Wilbur, C.S., Crowder, J.H. - A public intervention model for work-site health promotion. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1986, Feb 255 (7) 921-926

McClaran, S.R., Jones, J., Aittama, T.-Making it stick: improving adherence to physical activity programs. AWHP’s Worksite Health. Summer 2001. 18-21

Studies have shown that fitness and health promotion services reduce rates of injury. They impact on behaviors leading to injuries and reduce the overall costs of injury. In one study there was a difference of $2,976 less per injury for participants in the employee wellness plan compared to non-participants.

References: Gunsch, D. -Employees exercise to prevent injuries. Personnel Journal. July, 1993, 58-62

Musich, A. A., Napier, D., Edington, D. -The association of health risks with workers’ compensation costs. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 2001, 43 (6) 534-541

Studies have shown a direct link between employee health and employee productivity.

Fitness and health promotion services have been found to show a return between $1.49 and $6.15 for every dollar spent. Disease management programs have been found to show a return between $7.33 and $10.31 for every dollar spent.

18 studies examined the impact of health promotion programs on absenteeism. All 18 found that absenteeism dropped after the introduction of a health promotion program. Six of these 18 provided a cost-benefit ratio and there was an average savings of $5.07 for every dollar invested.

Research clearly supports a relationship between modifiable risk factors and health care costs. Health promotion programs appear to provide positive financial returns, most strongly for health care costs and absenteeism reduction. Overall, health promotion shows promising results for providing financial advantages for its sponsors.

Return on investment (ROI) studies indicate a wide range of ROI estimates, from a low of $1.49 per dollar spent on the program to a high of $13. In general, disease management programs, which target specific diseases, had the highest ROI estimates which ranged from $7.33 to 10.31 per dollar spent . Corporate health promotion/wellness programs had ROI estimates between $1.49 and $3.14 in benefits per dollar spent.

Likely benefits to a company include an improvement of corporate image, a recruitment of premium employees, gains in the quality and the quantity of production, a decrease of absenteeism and turnover, lower medical costs, an improvement of personal lifestyle (with a potential for future health savings), and a reduced incidence of industrial injuries.

References: Golaszewski, T. -Shining lights; studies that have most influenced the understanding of health promotion’s financial impact. American Journal of Health Promotion. May/June 2001. 12 )5) 332-340

Goetzel, R.Z., Juday, T.R., and Ozminkowski, R.J. -What’s the ROI? A systematic review of return on investment (ROI) studies of corporate health and productivity management initiatives.

Shephard, R.J. -Current perspectives on the economics of fitness and sport with particular reference to worksite programs. Sports Medicine (Auckland) May 1989 Vol. 7 (5) 286-309

Health risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and obesity can negatively influence an individual’s health. Many studies have shown that people who participate in worksite health promotion programs are able to significantly reduce their health risks, resulting in better health. Programs that included fitness centers and exercise programs had daily energy expenditure in vigorous activities increase 104% compared to 33% at companies that only offered an annual health screen. The improvement was corroborated by maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 Max) measures.

Reference: Blair, R.N. Piserchia, M.S., Wilbur, C.S. Crowder, J.H. - A public health intervention model for worksite health promotion. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1986 Feb. 255 (7) 921-926

Pelletier, Kenneth R. A Review and Analysis of the Health and Financial Outcome Studies of Comprehensive Health Promotion and Disease prevention Programs at the Worksite. American Journal of health Promotion 2000.