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We all know that health insurance is expensive. Even with the Affordable Care Act, not everyone can actually afford insurance. However, if you’re a “big picture” kind of person, you may be able to appreciate that healthier workers are typically more productive. The results are variable, of course, but since the majority of companies are already required to offer healthcare plans to their workers, this is one that doesn’t really cost extra money.
One of the key aspects is simply getting people to the doctor for preventative care. Most people don’t go to the doctor unless something is wrong, but by that point it can often be too late. However, people who go to the doctor just for a regular checkup can get problems figured out and under control before they begin to affect their lives, and therefore, their work. Maybe this comes as no surprise, but giving employees good health benefits is actually beneficial for the company as a whole. Here’s how.
It Decreases Absenteeism
Lowering absenteeism is a major concern for many workplaces. Small businesses or companies that require especially skilled workers suffer the most when employees end up taking unexpected time off. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many people in the United Statessuffer from chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure, among others. Your employees can also experience “burn out,” which is basically when they become too exhausted to function normally and end up missing work simply to recharge.
It Lowers Healthcare Costs
Once you start to reduce your absenteeism and get people into the doctor for preventative care, you can watch your overall healthcare costs drop. After all, if someone has to go out on temporary disability, you still have to hire and train someone to fill in for the time that they are gone.
This can become extremely expensive, similar to a completely new hire. If you work for a specialty store, such as CJ’s Wheel Vintiques, then each training session becomes more expensive than the one before. If you lose someone who was an expert at what he or she did, then the training, even of a current employee, can take a toll on your business.
It ImprovesWorker Retention
Employees who do have a chronic illness that requires medication or checkups are more likely to appreciate the value of good healthcare options at the office. It’s also likely to be a major factor for them when they consider switching jobs. A position might offer a slightly higher salary, but if the insurance options don’t measure up to what they already have, there’s a chance that they may pass the offer up.
Having a great health care plan also attracts a higher level of talent to the firm. Since health care is generally so expensive, many potential employees will factor that in when deciding if they’d like to accept a position with you or not.
It BoostsProductivity
This stems from the lack of absenteeism and the improved retention of workers. It also comes from having workers who understand the benefits of keeping themselves in reasonable condition, which means staying hydrated and rested, and not allowing themselves to become overworked and stressed out.
Most people will have a difficult time working to the best of their ability when they aren’t feeling good. A general doctor visit can inform them of any issues that might be easily fixable, such as dehydration or stress.
It Lowers Risk of Work-Related Injury
Once people start going to the doctor for wellness checkups, they’re more likely to discover something that could be an issue and take steps to prevent aggravating it at work. This means that you’re less likely to have someone who doesn’t know they have a slipped disk in their neck try and pick up a heavy box and throw their back out at work. Since your employees are already encouraged to see their doctors regularly, they’ll know if there’s a particular activity they should try to avoid, which means a significantly lower risk of having a work-related injury. Of course, accidents do happen, but avoiding those that don’t need to happen is important.
Even companies that are too small to be able to afford good health care coverage for their employees do have some options. Employee-funded coverage is a great option, and it can be very beneficial if workers are educated about it properly. Even just a few extras at work, such as a reminder to visit your doctor for a flu shot or your yearly checkup, can get people motivated. Of course, good health insurance is almost always going to have the biggest impact, but even small factors can make a difference.
Talk to your employees, and talk to your insurance provider. The Affordable Healthcare Act is still being implemented, and the changes can be difficult to understand. By making the most of what you can afford, and doing some comparison shopping, you might find that you have more options than you thought – something your employees are sure to appreciate.
