The business of employee health
<p>Toni James, palliative nurse coordinator for Kootenai Medical Center, holds warrior pose during a recent free yoga class for KMC employees. (SHAWN GUST/Press)</p>
COEUR d’ALENE — Being healthy is important. Most of us try to eat right and exercise for our own good and for our family. A few years ago Kootenai Health asked the question, how does having healthy employees affect a business? Now thanks to Kootenai’s self-developed MyHealth program, we know exactly what having healthy employees means to an organization.
“Having healthier employees is very important,” said Josh Burton, RN, employee health supervisor and senior health coach. “Those employees that are healthier overall are more productive.”
Many studies show that employees who are struggling with their health or finances are much less productive at work. While they are physically at work, these employees are mentally unable to focus and their mind may wander on to other personal issues. This idea is called presenteeism. Employees who are generally more active, eat better and are less stressed have lower rates of presenteeism. These employees are able to focus on their job and are measurably more productive while on the clock.
North Idaho Business Journal