Mobile email devices, high-speed broadband, laptop computers, and a host of other technological innovations have certainly helped make today’s tech-savvy employees more productive. But there has been an unintended consequence: these ‘always-on’ employees are becoming less physically active. As a result, problems such as diabetes, strokes, and high blood pressure are growing at an alarming rate, putting undue pressure on corporate health care budgets. demandFITNESS's Joanne Blackerby explains.
The promise of the 21st century technological revolution was to help make employees more productive and mobile. As a result, today’s generation of employees is the most technically sophisticated ever. Mobile email devices, high-speed broadband, laptop computers, and a host of other innovations have certainly helped make today’s technically-savvy employees more productive. But there has been an unintended consequence: these ‘always-on’ employees are becoming less physically active.
Obesity rates in America have increased 43.8% in less than one decade and 67% (200M) of all Americans are now considered overweight or obese (CDC - Center for Disease Control - 2004). As a result, companies are continuing to combat rising health care costs for a workforce that is getting less and less healthy. However, some companies are beginning to develop a new strategy based on the old adage of “fighting fire with fire”. These companies are starting to use technology to fight back against the growing physical inactivity of their employees.
One such company is Kensington Electronics (www.keiconn.com), a leading distributor of connector solutions for the electronics industry. While looking for ways to reduce their healthcare costs, Kensington found a company called demandFITNESS (www.demandfitness.com) which uses video, assessment, and tracking technology to create a ‘virtual gym’ that can deliver fitness classes directly to employees using the Internet.
“We had been looking for a way to allow our employees to attain a healthier lifestyle in order to reduce our long-term healthcare costs,” said Patrick Rabbitt, CEO Kensington Electronics. “The demandFITNESS approach of utilizing technology to get employees fit seemed like an ideal solution.”
In the demandFITNESS program, Kensington Electronics employees start by taking an online health risk assessment that is used to show them exactly what their health risks are while also suggesting behavioral changes that will improve their outlook. Employees are then able to view or download any of 200+ fitness videos, ranging from traditional classes such as aerobics and Pilates to specialty classes such as heavyweight yoga or senior fitness. By making these classes available on a 24 x 7 basis, the typical excuse of “I don’t have time to work out” is easily avoided. Online tools such as fitness and goal trackers are then used to show employees their progress.
“Best of all, the demandFITNESS program covers not only our employees but their spouses as well,” continued Rabbitt. “If I can help encourage our employees and their dependents to stay fit, I should be able to reduce my claims history, thereby positively impacting my long-term healthcare premiums.”
In fact, there are new waves of companies who are utilizing technology to breathe new life into static corporate wellness programs. Even more established companies such as Weight Watchers (www.weightwatchers.com) are jumping into the technology game. Health care costs have increased 87% since 2000 (source: Deloitte Consulting Health Care Surveys 1999-2006) so it’s no wonder that solution providers are striving to develop innovative solutions to address this growing problem. The numbers are staggering. In addition to the 200 million Americans considered overweight or obese, the CDC also reports that 120 million Americans have chronic stress, 75 million have diabetes, 72 million have heart disease, and 65 million have high blood pressure.
“Problems such as diabetes, strokes, and high blood pressure due to physical inactivity are growing at an alarming rate, putting undue pressure on today’s corporate health care budgets,” said Mike Salas, CEO of demandFITNESS. “Employers are beginning to fight back by adopting solutions that appeal to today’s iPod generation.”
By using technology, solution providers are hoping that increasing numbers of employees will find ways to get moving. If successful, these providers will not only help employers continue their battle against rising heath care costs, they may, in fact, redefine the definition of corporate wellness systems.
For more information on demandFITNESS’ corporate fitness program, visit http://corporate.demandfitness.com.The HR industry´s premier online community and resource for Human Resource professionals: HR, human resources, HR community, human resources community, HR best practices, best practices in human resources, online communities for HR, HR articles, HR news, human resources articles, human resources news, HR events, leadership, performance management, staffing and recruitment, benefits, compensation, staffing, recruitment, workforce acquisition, human capital management, HR management, human resources management, HR metrics and measurement, organizational development, executive coaching, HR law, employment law, labor relations, hiring employees, HR outsourcing, human resources outsourcing, training and development
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