Risk & Business Magazine General Insurance Services Spring 2020 | Page 7

WELLNESS TRENDS counseling, referrals to mental health professionals, and educational resources. Companies using this type of plan are focusing on the direct correlation between positive mental health and positive physical health. Improved employee morale, productivity, presenteeism, and retention are all benefits that can emerge from this type of programming. 2. ERGONOMICS Ergonomics refers to designing the workspace to fit the employee’s capabilities and limitations and to help the individual complete tasks in the most efficient way. Wellness and ergonomics have typically been operated independently of one another in the workplace. Employee wellness is generally operated from an HR perspective, while ergonomics is most often part of the safety culture. However, partnering these two resources into one program can maximize the benefits produced by both. For example, the risk of extended sitting not only creates a higher propensity for obesity and poor heart health, but it can also increase the risk for MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders). Both outcomes are associated with absenteeism, decreased productivity, poor employee morale, and higher medical claim costs, to name a few. Utilizing both programs together can be an efficient way for employers to be proactive in creating positive health outcomes and reducing risk for injury simultaneously with one program. 3. TAILORED HEALTH PORTALS Many employees use the internet for researching and coordinating their health care. Oftentimes, this is done through point solutions (e.g., websites or applications that deal with a specific focus, like managing diabetes), which require employees to reenter their personal information into multiple sites. From such a portal, employees could locate a doctor. Employers are now moving away from point solutions, opting instead for tailored platforms. These platforms house employee data and offer access to a variety of health solutions. Employees can research a condition or review their health plan coverages all in the same place. Depending on the platform, employers can work with vendors to include solutions based on their employees’ unique needs. "CREATING A HEALTHY CULTURE WITHIN THE WORKPLACE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY FOR COMPANIES IN 2020 FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS." their employees, some are choosing to offer financial wellness programs. These programs vary in complexity but can include personal financial planning meetings, tuition reimbursement, seminars, and payday loan assistance. The idea is to offer enough services for anyone in your workforce to take advantage of, no matter their financial situation. CONCLUSION Employee well-being, whether it is physical, mental, or social, is just as important to the individual as it is to prosperity of the organization they serve. We understand the importance of a healthy workforce, and we are here to help. If you would like to learn more about improving an existing program or simply creating a healthy culture in your organization, feel free to contact me at 219-809-2219 or [email protected] to get started. + 4. SOCIAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS A common thread in workplace surveys for years has been the employee’s desire for meaningful work. People want what they do to matter. This isn’t always easy, depending on the line of work, so employers are offering ways to give back. Some companies partner with nonprofit organizations to help fundraise, and others provide an allotment of paid “volunteer days” for employees to use throughout the year. Regardless of the approach, the commitment to social enrichment is what matters to employees. 5. FINANCIAL WELLNESS RESOURCES Many organizations employ a diverse population of employees. Different demographics do set the tone for different needs. However, one thing that most everyone has in common is financial stress. Whether it be preparing for retirement and the unknown or paying back college debt or a new house, financial worries are in the top stressors for individuals. As employers look to reduce unnecessary stress for BY: ELIZABETH DOWNS, HEALTH & WELLNESS ADVISOR, GENERAL INSURANCE SERVICES Elizabeth Downs attended Tri-State University in Angola and received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Prior to starting her career with GIS, she worked in health and wellness for 10 years, specializing in healthy lifestyle change and chronic disease prevention. Elizabeth resides in La Porte County with her husband, Jeff, and their children. In 2018, she joined the Board of Directors for Healthy Communities of La Porte County to help support programs that improve the quality of life for residents within La Porte County. 7