The biggest survey of workplace wellness in SA steps up in 2014

The third Healthy Company Index has launched to employers giving insights to how employers can improve wellness initiatives. From encouraging lunchtime fitness classes to changing the food options in staff canteens, more and more employers are acknowledging the benefits that integrated wellness strategies can offer in terms of their organisation’s overall success. And, with statistics showing an impressive return-on-investment with such strategies, those in the corporate wellness industry argue that the fourth bottom line, a focus on health and wellness in the workplace, ends up paying for itself. Sometimes even twice over.

Globally, research has shown that the risks of chronic diseases of lifestyle – including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and certain cancers – play a significant role in employee illness and absenteeism – as well as reduced levels of workplace morale, engagement, and productivity. Research has also shown that these diseases of lifestyle can be largely mitigated through tailored interventions to promote a healthier diet, increased levels of physical activity, and regular health checks.

Healthy people; healthy profits

With 15 million people employed in South Africa, the health and wellbeing of the country’s workforce is more important than ever before. Employers have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of their employees, and indirectly the families who depend on them, by measuring and managing their health. Since people spend a great deal of their lives at work, and work significantly impacts stress and lifestyle, employers can positively influence their staff’s ability to make healthy choices with a focus on the fourth bottom line: human capital.

To help companies with this, Discovery Vitality has launched the Discovery Healthy Company Index. Now in its third year, the Index is a means of benchmarking a company’s health and wellness priorities against the survey average, and giving insights into how additional wellness initiatives can deliver even more impact.

Insights from the previous Healthy Company Index

• 92% of employees have a Vitality Age higher than their actual age. On average, employees have a Vitality Age that is 6.4 years older than their actual age
• Employees with a Vitality Age higher than their actual age had 27% more visits to the doctor, 55% more days in hospital and lost 72% more days due to illness or injury than those with a Vitality Age lower than their actual age.
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the most prevalent chronic conditions of lifestyle among employees.
• 68% of employees do not meet physical activity guidelines.
• 53% of employees did not have all their preventive health checks.
• 50% of employees have 5 or more risk factors outside of healthy range.

Academic partnerships

This year, the Index is a partnership between Discovery Vitality, the world’s largest independent research group, RAND Europe as well as a leading academic institution, the University of Cambridge.

The Discovery Healthy Company Index can help your company identify the hidden costs and the underlying health issues your workplace, and recommend how your company can support your employees to become healthier, and attract and retain the best talent. For more information about taking part in this survey, visit www.healthycompanyindex.co.za.