Employee Productivity: A Joint Responsibility

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), businesses in the United States lose up to $1 billion weekly from illnesses and injuries in the workplace. Add the cost of health insurance benefits and lost productivity from employee sick days for time and costs related to non-work instances, it's little wonder that health-related costs are included in top expenses for any organization. Striving to offer opportunities through which employees can improve or maintain good health is only one possibility to reduce that huge financial drain.

Kinematics v Ergonomics

Few people understand the difference between kinematics, a study of motion without influence of energy or force, and ergonomics, a similar study but, in layman terms, includes force and direction. Both OSHA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention advocate workplace plans to minimize stress and strain in worker motions, regardless of a standing or sitting position.

Bending, rotating and stretching to perform work functions all increase the odds of workplace injuries. However, much of the employer health costs include non-work-related medical costs. Employees share responsibility for good health and fitness outside the workplace.

Wellness Programs

Health Maintenance Organizations or HMOs are among the most restrictive health care plans available. Obtaining required referrals to specialists and out-of-network providers can quickly escalate the private-pay portion of medical care beyond affordability. However, one of the guiding principles of HMO plans is the preventive care aspect.

Regular physicals and a monitored referral system add protective layers against escalating healthcare costs and medically unnecessary procedures.

The employee's responsibility does not stop at choosing the most affordable benefit. Good nutrition, adequate rest and healthy exercise can vastly reduce instances of illness or injury that can erode performance and productivity in the workplace.

Perhaps ironically, consult your physician before initiating an exercise program to minimize chances of exacerbating a medical condition.

Non-Invasive Exercise at Work

Take safe advantage of your workplace environment to improve your health and fitness.

• Use the stairs, not the elevator. Unless you have a physical condition that prevents it, use the stairs instead of the elevators to arrive on the proper floor. If you work too many floors above ground, start by climbing only a few levels, and as your physical condition and health improves, expand the regime to include a few more levels.
  
• Take walks. Some days are more tiring than others, and the weather outdoors isn't always conducive to a 15-minute walk during lunch, but take a stroll in accessible hallways if walking outdoors is not attractive. Not only are you burning calories but you are also stimulating blood flow and increasing oxygen intake — both of which are healthy encouragements to improved health and increased productivity.
  
• Stretch often. Whether you work standing or sitting for long periods of time, ensure you keep your muscles and joints relaxed to avoid strain or cramps when you do move. Standing workers should take extra care in twisting, bending or reaching.
  
• Avoid vending machines. Not only can you save significant money by avoiding vending foods and drinks, you improve nutrition by avoiding the sugar-, salt- or starch-laden foods often sold in vending machines. Take not only your own lunch and drinks but healthy snacks to enjoy during scheduled breaks.
  

Summary

Your employer is tasked with maintaining a safe work environment, and many businesses will soon be required under federal law to provide health benefits, but never lose sight of your own responsibility as well. Take reasonable precautions to avoid accidents, and take a few minutes each day to improve your own physical fitness and well-being.