Trim workers' waistlines to add to bottom line, business leaders told at Engage Forum
Wellness programmes, improved productivity and the overall health of a nation were being used by global corporates to attract and retain the best staff. This was the message to health professionals and business leaders attending Metropolitan Health Group and Qualsa’s Engage Forum hosted in Johannesburg earlier this month.
Peter Philip, Head of Corporate Health for Standard Bank, said the wellness plans offered by employers needed to be “consistent, aligned, focused and persistent.”
“Being able to attract, retain, develop and deploy teams of people with energy, passion and skills,was an indication of business success,” he said. A major part of this was ensuring employees were healthy. Pravesh Bhoodram, Director of Employee Sport and Recreation for the Department of Correctional Services, said nutrition remained a serious concern for South Africans.
“Wellness programmes are not just gym memberships, they need to provide proper testing, dieticians, psychologists (to get to the root of eating disorders), and personal trainers. This is the only way to excite and train an individual and eventually encourage him/her to take control of his/her health and weight,” he said.
Dr Sipho Senabe, Chief Director of Employee Health and Wellness for the Department of Public Service and Administration, said the public service was focused on employee health. Policies were being implemented with focus areas looking at HIV/Aids, occupational hazards and risks, comprehensive wellness and health education.
“The goal is a healthy and productive public service that meets government’s development agenda,” he said.
Dr Solly Molekwa, Head of Corporate Wellness for BP, said for a company to be globally competitive it needed to offer employees a healthy work environment.
On a practical level this meant providing a safe, hazard-free place to work, fitness facilities with classes or equipment and healthy food choices in canteens. No smoking policies had to be in place and smoking cessation assistance provided. Staff needed information about alcohol and drugs, and, if necessary, counselling.
Peter Philip reminded the audience that: "Wellness is not touchy-feely! Stress, for instance, had a huge impact on medical costs, claims and the bottom line."
“This creates a very hard business reason for getting a good wellness programme,” he said.
To view the presentations, click on the links below:
Lessons I have Learnt - Peter Philip: Head Corporate Health
The role of incentives and rewards when it comes to corporate wellness programmes - Dr Solly Molekwa
