Employees Speak Out on Workplace Wellnes...( Poll's key fin...),Health

Poll's key findings include: Less costly programs are the most popular with employees; employers slow to adopt the most popular programs and financial incentives motivate behavior changes

Chapel Hill, NC (PRWEB) October 21, 2008 -- In today's stressful economic environment, starting a workplace wellness program may be the furthest thing from employers' minds, but creating a healthier workforce is more important than ever to contain rising health care costs and reduce the health impact employees are facing in these uncertain times.

According to a statewide poll commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), employers are still slow to adopt jobsite wellness programs even though they help improve employees' health, increase loyalty, and the most popular ones aren't costly to implement.

"With the economy the way it is, employers might be tempted to cut back on wellness programs," said Bob Greczyn, president and CEO of BCBSNC. "But now's not the time to cut back, because we'll all be paying the price in the long run."

In June, more than 500 employees from around the state were surveyed about workplace wellness programs and the results were compiled into the Healthy on the Job report which was presented today in Raleigh at the 2008 State of Preventive Health Summit.

The results showed the most popular workplace wellness programs with employees are:

• Paid time off for doctor's visits or health care needs: 78 percent
• Purchasing healthy café or vending options: 67 percent
• Participating in physical activity during work hours: 67 percent
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