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"The survey results confirm that successful employers are more likely to provide tools to support health improvement, promote emotional health, educate employees on safety at work, use positive economic incentives, and involve senior management in promoting health and productivity. It's a very inspiring message," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health.

Other findings from the survey include:

-- Employers spend a median 21.2 percent of payroll on direct and indirect

costs of programs for wellness, sick leave and disability, slightly

less than the 22 percent they spent in 2005.

-- Preventable factors lead the list of health-related items affecting

business performance, followed by adverse physical conditions, such as

back pain. The leading health issues are lifestyle risks (42 percent),

physical conditions (34 percent), chronic conditions (31 percent),

unscheduled absences (30 percent) and mental health conditions (23

percent).

-- The two most commonly cited barriers to effectively managing health and

productivity are lack of data (45 percent) and organizational structure

(41 percent).

More information on the 2007/2008 Staying@Work report can be found at http://www.watsonwyatt.com

About Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Watson Wyatt (NYSE: WW) is the trusted business partner to the world's leading organizations on people and financial issues. The firm's global services include: managing the cost and effectiveness of employee benefit programs; developing attraction, retention and reward strategies; advising pensi
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