Employers Not Inclined to Invest in Employee Health

No Interest: Sick employees hurt productivity, but employers are not responsible for making them healthy, an industry study shows. The report, released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and focusing on employers in the state, describes a “disconnect” among employers between the toll poor health takes on productivity and the role employers have in promoting good health in their workforce.

“[Employers] see healthy employees as key to their business, but don’t think they can or should do much about it,” the report’s authors wrote. “And, they don’t think wellness programs are effective.”

Although 68 percent of employers surveyed believe employees who smoke and drink excessively should pay higher co-pays, most don’t provide an increased contribution toward paying for the health insurance of employees who participate in weight-loss, smoking-cessation or other wellness programs. Forty-five percent of employers say overweight workers should pay more for their health benefits. About 65 percent of Americans are obese or overweight.

Employers unwilling to invest in wellness programs can take a number of inexpensive steps to reduce unhealthy behaviors. They can like prohibit smoking at work sites, encourage employees to take the stairs, or sponsor employee sports teams.