Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the cost of healthcare is a hot topic, and not just for the average American. Today, employee wages and healthcare costs comprise the bulk of a company’s operating expenses. And, it’s not just healthcare; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that U.S. employers lose approximately $225.8 billion annually due to employee health issues. In order to reduce this economic loss, companies are creating wellness programs that promote health and self-care. Initiatives like office gyms, health funds, yoga classes, and the like are meant to create healthier employees, and thus a healthier bottom line. But, research shows low participation rates among employees, and a poor return on investment for companies.
Rather than promoting these programs, companies should instead design the workplace to promote wellness. Based on calculations from the CDC, designing the workplace to support health and wellness could reduce costs by as much as $1,685 annually per employee.
Here are a few design strategies that support employees’ health and well-being:
Desks
Sitting too much is seriously bad for your health. An adjustable height desk can have impressive benefits for health. Research shows that standing while working–even for 30 minutes at a time–can have a major impact on a person’s health, including reducing back pain, lowering blood-sugar levels and the risk of heart disease, improving mood and energy levels, and lowering the risk of weight gain and obesity.
Lighting
Research also shows lighting at work can have significant effects on brain function and productivity. Insufficient lighting can cause headaches, eye strain, and tiredness, which can all contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Accessories
For many employees, excessive noise can cause irritability, fatigue, and poor cognitive performance, which is why noise control should be considered in open concept office designs. Room dividers are highly effective for noise mitigation. Incorporating natural elements into the design also offers a host of health benefits. Plants, flowers, and other structures that depict nature promote creativity and decrease stress.
At Alliance Corporate Services, we know that productivity lies in the health and well being of a company’s workforce. Let us assist you in creating an environment that supports and encourages it. After all, creating an environment that cultivates happy and healthy employees is a smart investment.