Workplaces Are Sick Too
September 24, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new study
indicated that many Americans are not only suffering from
issues with their health coverage, but work at unhealthy
workplaces.
That was the key finding of the "2008 National
Study of the Changing Workforce " by Families and Work
Institute authors Kerstin Aumann and Ellen
Galinsky.
To support their suggestion of unhealthy
workplaces, Aumann and Galinsky point to the fact
that:
-
employees' physical health shows downward
trends, with men's health deteriorating more than
women's;
-
a large proportion of the workforce shows signs
of clinical depression;
-
sleep problems are pervasive;
-
stress levels are rising.
"The work environment-where each of us spends most
of our waking hours-has a considerable impact on our
health and well-being," the study report indicated.
"Improving the work environment is a low- to no-cost
investment that every employer should make if we are
truly to reform health care, reduce spiraling health care
expenditures and actually improve health in
America."