by Benn Bathgate
The not-for-profit health insurer surveyed 402 North Island employers and found almost 50% had a formal health and wellness programme in place, with more than half starting in the last three years - when adverse economic conditions saw belt-tightening in many business areas.
The survey also found that 93% of all businesses surveyed offered some form of health intervention in the workplace.
Southern Cross Health Society chief executive Peter Tynan said employers realise that during recessionary times it was even more important to ensure employees remain healthy, productive and loyal.
"Reduced sick leave is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of cost savings from these types of programmes. Last year a report by Treasury estimated the effect of workers being on the job, but due to ill health, not fully productive was costing the country up to $8 billion a year in lost productivity."
Reducing absenteeism was cited by 60% of employers as a key reason to have these health initiatives, and a third of those with a formal health and wellness programme reported reduced staff absence due to illness in the last year.
"Employers understand that physical or mental health problems can't just be parked at the door when we walk into work," Tynan said.
"The routine nature of work, the hours spent there and the peer support available make the workplace an excellent environment to make health and lifestyle improvements."
Benn Bathgate is a business reporter for ASSET and Good Returns, email story ideas to benn@goodreturns.co.nz
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