Stressed-out staff need benefits

If employers want their workers to be healthy and productive, the economic recession is not the time to cut health benefits, say health professionals.  The increasing number of employees looking for stress related health-care services is proof.  

"We're seeing a lot more stress-related illnesses," says Dr. Susan Lea, medical director of Foothills Health Consultants Ltd. in Calgary. "When the economic downturn came, we predicted it because this market is vulnerable . . . so we are seeing a lot more people who are anxious about their health."

"They're interested in trying to ensure they're in the best health they can possibly be in to manage the stress," says Dr. Lea.

A recent survey by Sanofi-Aventis, a global pharmaceutical company, backs up Dr. Lea's anecdotal evidence. The survey found 38% of the 2,090 health benefit plan members said workplace stress made them physically ill in the past year, while 26% called in sick due to stress.

Compared to other regions in Canada, residents of Alberta (33%) and Ontario (32%) are more likely to report very high stress over their finances.

Evidence that employees value their health benefit plans is that 45% of employees would refuse $20 000 in cash in order to keep their health benefit plans.  The percentage of employees rises as the cash offer decreases. 

"Even if some companies must cut staff to survive, they must also look after those who remain," says Chris Bonnett, president of Toronto-based H3 Consulting. "The survey demonstrates health benefit plans provide an important level of security."

Dr. Lea says the link between stress and physical illness is clear. People don't sleep well, work more, give up exercise programs and don't pay as much attention to diets, or "stress eat," and that ultimately leads to significant disease. "It leads to lots of downstream effects," says Dr. Lea.

Organizations also need to make sure they give their employees the time off they need to rest and rejuvenate, resulting in a workforce that is productive and healthy. 

Organizations that offer health promotion programs are more likely to have their health benefit plans rated as excellent or very good.  Employees who are more satisfied with their jobs also feel obligated to help control health benefit plan costs. 

"Today's economic climate is a great opportunity for employers to assist in mitigating stress among its employees," says Jacques L'Esperance, a member of the Sanofi-Aventis health-care survey advisory board.

Dr. Lea believes that a healthy diet and healthy activity are some of the best stress management tools available, and the best way to stay healthy in the long term.

"I'd say for companies that are asking for more productivity from their workers that this is not a good time to trim health benefits," she says. "They need to encourage their individuals to maintain healthy lifestyles--pay attention to diet, exercise--and give them appropriate time to do those activities so they can manage their stress and be more productive."

The survey found that plan members would be more prone to change their health behaviors if their employer subsidized a gym membership (62%), offered healthy food choices (56%), more flexible hours (55%) and gave time at lunch breaks for fitness activity (51%).

"The take-away here is that employers need to realize that just offering the wellness program is only a small part of the equation," says Bonnett. "They must be very strategic about ensuring program elements are relevant to and of interest to employees," he says. "Offering incentives to employees to engage in these healthier behaviours is critical, especially during challenging economic times."

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Posted by: suhujitha on 2009-07-30 10:51:48

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