Employer perspective: Value of integrated models and future needs

Integrated employee health protection/health promotion models hold the promise of reducing health care costs as well as improving employee well-being and productivity. Soaring health care costs are driving companies to find ways to prevent or manage all causes of employee ill health, both occupational and non-occupational. At the same time, competitive pressures mean employers are looking for ways to increase employee productivity. In addition, an aging workforce means that an increasing number of employees come to work with age-related health risks or conditions, while a knowledge-based workforce makes replacement of workers difficult and costly. The new emphasis on total employee health has led to intense interest in integrated models incorporating both occupational and non-occupational approaches. For example, it is well-recognized that depression and other mental health disorders have a significant impact not just on employee wellbeing, but on productivity as well. There is also clear evidence that organizational factors can have both positive and negative impacts on employee health and productivity. Interest in these integrated approaches is no longer limited to occupational health staff but is shared by safety and benefits managers. More companies are looking for ways to implement integrated approaches and there is a growing body of information on characteristics of successful programs. This presentation will provide a brief overview of what leaders in this field have identified as key program success factors; challenges to effective program implementation; and steps needed to encourage more employers to implement these initiatives.