HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE - Essay Example

Outline Health and wellness in the workplace Introduction Health and wellness of employees plays a decisive role in their productivity. Managers needto encourage a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. American Nurses Association (2011) found improvement in the work environment over the last decade with the availability of lifting and transfer devices for the patients at the workplace. Managers need to implement preventive measures against unhealthy lifestyle at the workplace and provide the employees with training and education to enhance their involvement and participation in these measures. BodyA. Preventive measure from chronic disease and obesity a.

- diet and exercise Availability of only healthy food in the workplace Obligatory but light and brief warm up exercise at the day’s start, mid, and end.Availability of a customized gym at the workplaceb. - stress managementNo overstayingFlexible working hoursConflict resolution strategiesc. - Smoking and alcohol Tobacco and alcohol ban at the workplaceCreating awareness among the workers about the health risks of substance abuseRewards tied to quitting smoking and alcohol consumptiond. -behavioral change Access to behavioral therapist at the workplaceFormulation of code of ethicsReward and penalty system accorded with behaviorB.

Employee training a. - health education and awareness Creation of awareness through meetings, journals, and memosAccess to fitness trainerArrangement of seminars and conferencesb. - motivate employee Encouragement by top management Incorporation of the criteria of healthy habits in the performance evaluation systemInculcating good values through maintaining a healthy organizational culturec. - onsite gym or discount for gym membership Encouragement to join gymSparing some time for gym while making work scheduleAvailability of fitness equipment d.

- healthy eating habits Imposing bans on eatables and drinks exceeding a certain calorie count at the workplaceProviding the employees with safe and healthy food options at the workplaceCreating awareness about healthy eating habitsC. Benefits a. - healthy employeeImproved healthImproved body figure Bodily fitness leading to improved psychological health b. - less sick call Reduced sick leave applicationsReduced cost of absenteeismReduced adjustments in the work schedulesc. - increase productivities Reduced absenteeismIncreased efficiency of the employeesIncreased profitability of businessd.

- less health insurance costLower premiums on health insuranceLesser health risks leading to lesser insurance expensesIncreased profitability of businessD. Argument a. - lack of interest Not every employee is serious about good healthFor many, looking smart is not importantEmployees might find this topic overrated at the workplaceb. - lack of knowledge Employees do not know the importance of fitnessEmployees are unaware of the risks of unhealthy lifestyleEmployees consume certain things considering them healthy whereas they are actually notc.

- busy scheduleEmployees cannot stick to a healthy lifestyle for a long timeDistractions both on and outside the workplace No time for exercise at the workplaceConclusionEmployees’ health and fitness is very important for their efficiency at the workplace. Organizational principles and strategies should be directed at encouraging the employees to live a healthy lifestyle. There are many benefits of promoting health education and awareness at the workplace. References:American Nurses Association. (2011). 2011 Health and Safety Survey.

Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/WorkplaceSafety/Work-Environment/2011-HealthSafetySurvey.html. Annotated Bibliography The American Nurses Association (ANA) conducted a survey in 2011 to explore the health and safety concerns at the workplace. In they survey, ANA noted the hazards’ exposure and compared the results of the survey to the survey previously conducted in 2001. An overall improvement in the health and safety of the workplace was noticed.