Employment trends expert Rob Wilson discusses new study and how employers can facilitate a healthier work environment
A new study has found that nearly 50% of American workers are currently struggling with substance and alcohol abuse. The numbers illustrate the stark ways in which the pandemic has impacted the mental and physical health of Americans.
“The data shows that the number of workers who are reporting lower work productivity or missed workdays due to alcohol or substance abuse issues has more than doubled since 2019,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employee trends expert.
Wilson says that employers can help to protect employees from substance and alcohol abuse by enhancing their wellness programs in 2021 and taking advantage of high-tech sober support initiatives.
“There are digital programs which can help people struggling with addiction, and making those tools available to all of your employees (with their anonymity protected, of course), and offering addiction counseling as part of your wellness packages can be an invaluable way to assist your staff who may be struggling right now.”
“Now more than ever, employers need to start investing in programs that help employees access improved mental health and maintain a better work/life balance,” says Wilson. “Not only will this help your staff to stay healthy and happy, but it will also help to reduce absenteeism and performance issues.”
In fact, says the employment trends expert, supporting employee wellness initiatives may be the best way to save your company money in the future.
“Harvard researchers found that for every dollar spent on employee wellness, medical costs fall $3.27 and absenteeism drops $2.73 (which is a 6-to-1 return on investment),” says Wilson. “And a Rand Wellness Programs Study showed that wellness programs, generated $136 in savings per member, per month, along with a 30 percent reduction in hospital admissions.”
For more on this topic, please contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.