Stress at Work 
Health care expenditures are almost 50% higher for workers who report high levels of stress. Stress is also very costly for employers because it can result in the following;
- Increased absenteeism
- Declining productivity
- Increased employer drug costs
- Increased STD and LTD claims
The Canadian Policy Research Networks estimates that stress related absences cost employers about $3.5 billion each year.
An article by Cara Williams in Canadian Social trends examines triggers of workplace stress among employed Canadians. Over one-third of Canadians cited excessive demands on time as the most common source of workplace stress. Although naturopathic doctors cannot reduce the demands of hours on employees, Naturopathic Doctors have a substantial number of tools for stress management that can be offered to employees, either as a group or individually, to help them cope with high stress levels. This in turn will reduce employer costs by lowering absenteeism, increasing productivity and lowering drug costs.
Work Well's 8-Week Stress Management Program
Return on Investment
Investing in the wellness of employees is a wise capital investment. Most companies implement workplace wellness programs to:
- Enhance the health well-being of its employees
- To reduce escalating health care costs.
Productivity
Healthy Workplaces and productivity: A Discussion Paper, is a resource that demonstrates the cost saving benefit of employee wellness programs to employers, particularly as it relates to productivity. The paper can be accessed at www.cprn.org/en The papers author, Graham S. Lowe emphasizes that a key ingredient to a healthy workplace is, “…a culture that gives priority to work-life balance and individual wellness”.
Workplace Wellness in Action – Case Studies
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING
Husky Injection Molding Systems in Bolton, Ontario is known for its wellness programs which incorporates a fully equipped on-site integrative health centre, a health education program, healthy foods in the cafeteria and a fitness centre.
According to a profile of Husky on the Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC) website, Husky saved $8 million from its $4 million investment in the creation of a healthier workplace environment. Husky’s attention to the health of its employees has led to reduced absenteeism, higher productivity, and fewer injuries, among other benefits.
The HRDC profile provides the following statistics that demonstrate the benefits that Husky has realized following the implementation of its wellness program:
- Husky’s 1999 absenteeism rate was 2.25 days per employee compared to the Canadian average of 5.7 days.
- In 1998, there were only 0.77 injuries per 200,000 hours worked at Husky.
- The annual drug costs per Husky employee in 1997 were $153 compared to a $495 sectoral average.
-HRDC July 2001,
labour.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
CANADA POST
A research study was conducted with Canada Post in collaboration with The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. In the study. One group of Canada Post employees received naturopathic treatment – including acupuncture and dietary and lifestyle modification counseling – for their low back pain. Another group received advice on accepted physical therapies for controlling their back pain.
The result – the employees who received naturopathic care experienced more improvement with respect to their level of mobility, pain reduction, quality of life, physical function and reliance on pain medication, compared to those who received standardized advice.
As a positive spin off effect, although the employees were treated for back pain, they also reported a dramatic improvement in quality of life measures.
-The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 2006 Annual Report