Healthy Employees – An extra $2500 in Productivity!

The WorkHealth grants program has been an exceptional tool to help fund wellbeing activities in the workplace. One study has found that employees who walk 10,000 steps per day and work out in the gym 3 times per week could be worth an extra $2,500 in productivity per year.¹

Skeptics of the link between nutrition, lifestyle and health should read the article published in The Age on the 20^th of May 2013² reporting on the results of a study into the diet and mortality of immigrants from Latin America. The study reports that Latin Americans who adopt the much sought after American lifestyle and take on US dietary habits have, on average, a reduced life span of 3 years. This study and previous studies on Japanese Americans have shown higher instances of heart diseases, prostate cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and dementia which have been referred to as a “time bomb” .

The adoption of American style fast food is blamed for the steady waddle to the top of the obesity ladder. However, whilst the answer may be simple – eat better, eat less and exercise more – experience shows that people need help in initiating a healthy lifestyle and that fad diets fail altogether.

The Victorian free WorkHealth Check initiative has brought employees long term health into focus in companies across the state. Results show that more than 66% of participants in Victoria were found to have a medium to high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease³.

These findings have encouraged Victorian companies to become proactive in providing their employees with the opportunity to make healthier choices in the workplace. A healthier workforce is also known to help reduce staff absenteeism and improve retention.

Since being involved in the Victorian WorkHealth Check initiative from 2009, JTA has realised the importance of providing healthy options in the workforce. This has encouraged us to develop a Workplace Wellness Program that we can deliver nationally to ensure all organisations have the opportunity to provide a healthier workplace for their employees. The program includes:

With the increase of chronic diseases, the Australian population is fast following in the footsteps of the American lifestyle. Health checks give people an honest evaluation of their health in several key risk indicators and have kick started many people on the road to a healthier lifestyle and a chance to defuse the ‘time bomb’.

JTA Health specialises in the delivery of health promotion programs in the workplace. We can assist you with your grant application once you have received a formal letter of invitation from WorkSafe.