Page 16 - eMagazine-Concentra Connections

The Workforce Health Trends to Watch
Workforce health continues to to to to be a a a a a a a a hot topic and and only looks to to to to get more popular in in in in 2018 From wellness programs to to to to to telemedicine and and and ergonomics many employers are focusing on on on on workforce health health looking for new ways to to improve employee health health and and productivity Here are the top five trends to to to watch as we go into 2018 A greater focus on on healthy work environments Building a a a a a a healthy work environment requires more than just a a a a a a a a a a safety class and an an an an an injury care process It means bridging the the gap between the the the standard industrial safety program program the the the office wellness program program and and employee management—in other words a a a a a a a a 360-degree view of health Many employers are recognizing that bringing all these factors together can drive greater productivity and create a a a a a a more effective workforce To accomplish this employers should consider examining things like:
• • Ergonomics
• • • Onsite health clinics
• • • Telemedicine
• • Subsidized onsite nutrition
What’s possible—and effective—varies by industry and and company but they all have one thing in in in in in in common: the the knowledge that maintaining overall employee health is just good business Sponsored weight loss programs Weight management is a a a a a a a struggle for many Americans and recent research has shown that an an an an an an unhealthy weight can can can have a a a a a a a a a a a a a significant impact on employee productivity and overall future health As a a a a a a a a result many employers start their employee wellness programs with weight management Wellness education onsite nutritionists health coaches personal trainers and even subsidized nutrition
plans are on on on on on the rise even in companies that traditionally don’t provide such perks It doesn’t have have to to be a a a a a a a a a a a complex program to to to have have an an impact—many employers start by reaching out to to to local nutritionists to to help educate employees on on better food choices Employers can can start small and can can build a a a a a a a program that meets their employees’ needs Employee fitness challenges One of the the easiest ways for for companies to to introduce wellness to to the the workforce is 14