How to increase productivity and improve your bottom line...
A 2005 article in the Cape Times stated that South Africa is losing an estimated R12 billion per year due to absenteeism, R2,2 billion of that due to AIDS related illnesses. So what is contributing to the remaining R10 billion loss per year?
According to the APAs (American Psychological Association) online Help Centre:
Furthermore, recent studies show that presenteeism (on-the-job productivity loss due to health related problems such as allergies, asthma, chronic back pain, migraines, arthritis and depression) are far more costly to business than absenteeism.
So ask yourself: How much is stress costing my company and what can be done to remedy this?
Solution 1: Stress management programmes within a corporation
We all live highly stressful lives and let’s face it, some of us thrive on the rush of adrenalin, the constant challenge. Stress can often be our motivator. It keeps us on our toes, constantly stretches us to perform better. However, there is a very thin line between “good” stress and “bad” stress. When our stress levels get too high it can be detrimental to our health and well-being, not to mention our performance. Therefore, people need to learn to recognise how much stress is healthy for them. They need to learn practical techniques that will help them cope with their stressful lives so that the stress does not accumulate and eventually cause a downward spiral leading to ill-health, absenteeism or presenteeism.
Even small amounts of stress can affect our memory, perception and ability to think clearly. This all has an adverse affect on our performance. When we are stressed we get irritable and cranky and that affects our relationships with our family, friends, colleagues and customers. Stress management is a vital skill in being able to cope with our stressful lives. It is also an effective way to improve your bottom line.
Corporate Wellness Programmes have been at the forefront of staff development in Fortune 500 Companies. Recent studies demonstrate the link between employee fulfilment within an organisation and the quantum success of that organisation. This sheds new light on issues troubling the modern corporation and its management. An investment in the health and happiness of your staff is therefore an investment in the ultimate commercial profitability and spiritual success of the company.
An example: The management of Waste Management, Inc. from Oakbrook, Illinois; believed that worker stress was contributing to absenteeism and medical claims. They instituted a stress management program, which has resulted in a cost savings of $3,750 to $15,000 savings per participant, (amount of savings depended on their annual income).
Naas, R. (1992) Health promotion programs yield long-term savings. Business and Health. 10(13):41-47
Solution 2: Executive coaching
Just as people employ a personal trainer to optimize their health and wellbeing, so executive coaching helps to optimize success and fulfilment. Any serious sportsman would not imagine competing without employing a coach, so why would it be different for executives?
Furthermore, soft skills workshops tend to have a greater effect if followed up by a coaching programme. This consolidates and entrenches what was learnt and translates it into new adaptive behaviours and habits. After a workshop, people tend come away inspired to change but this inspiration quickly becomes wishful thinking as they easily fall back into old, familiar, maladaptive patterns of behaviour and habits. This is because it takes hard work, dedication, and commitment to implement and sustain these changes. The coaches role is to keep you motivated and on track with your goals.
A 2005 article in the Cape Times stated that South Africa is losing an estimated R12 billion per year due to absenteeism, R2,2 billion of that due to AIDS related illnesses. So what is contributing to the remaining R10 billion loss per year?
According to the APAs (American Psychological Association) online Help Centre:
- 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
- 75 - 90 % of all physician visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
- Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death -- heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.
Furthermore, recent studies show that presenteeism (on-the-job productivity loss due to health related problems such as allergies, asthma, chronic back pain, migraines, arthritis and depression) are far more costly to business than absenteeism.
So ask yourself: How much is stress costing my company and what can be done to remedy this?
Solution 1: Stress management programmes within a corporation
We all live highly stressful lives and let’s face it, some of us thrive on the rush of adrenalin, the constant challenge. Stress can often be our motivator. It keeps us on our toes, constantly stretches us to perform better. However, there is a very thin line between “good” stress and “bad” stress. When our stress levels get too high it can be detrimental to our health and well-being, not to mention our performance. Therefore, people need to learn to recognise how much stress is healthy for them. They need to learn practical techniques that will help them cope with their stressful lives so that the stress does not accumulate and eventually cause a downward spiral leading to ill-health, absenteeism or presenteeism.
Even small amounts of stress can affect our memory, perception and ability to think clearly. This all has an adverse affect on our performance. When we are stressed we get irritable and cranky and that affects our relationships with our family, friends, colleagues and customers. Stress management is a vital skill in being able to cope with our stressful lives. It is also an effective way to improve your bottom line.
Corporate Wellness Programmes have been at the forefront of staff development in Fortune 500 Companies. Recent studies demonstrate the link between employee fulfilment within an organisation and the quantum success of that organisation. This sheds new light on issues troubling the modern corporation and its management. An investment in the health and happiness of your staff is therefore an investment in the ultimate commercial profitability and spiritual success of the company.
An example: The management of Waste Management, Inc. from Oakbrook, Illinois; believed that worker stress was contributing to absenteeism and medical claims. They instituted a stress management program, which has resulted in a cost savings of $3,750 to $15,000 savings per participant, (amount of savings depended on their annual income).
Naas, R. (1992) Health promotion programs yield long-term savings. Business and Health. 10(13):41-47
Solution 2: Executive coaching
Just as people employ a personal trainer to optimize their health and wellbeing, so executive coaching helps to optimize success and fulfilment. Any serious sportsman would not imagine competing without employing a coach, so why would it be different for executives?
Furthermore, soft skills workshops tend to have a greater effect if followed up by a coaching programme. This consolidates and entrenches what was learnt and translates it into new adaptive behaviours and habits. After a workshop, people tend come away inspired to change but this inspiration quickly becomes wishful thinking as they easily fall back into old, familiar, maladaptive patterns of behaviour and habits. This is because it takes hard work, dedication, and commitment to implement and sustain these changes. The coaches role is to keep you motivated and on track with your goals.
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