America's Newest Epidemic...
Stress on the job costs companies an estimated $200 billion a year in reduced productivity, accidents, workers compensation claims, absenteeism, high employee turnover and increasing health insurance expenses.
Absenteeism on the job caused by stress has tripled from 1996 to 2000, costing American companies an estimated $602 per employee per year. For a large company, that price tag could approach $2.5 million annually!
In California alone, the number of workers' compensation claims for mental stress has increased by almost 700 percent over the last 8 years!
In fact, employee burnout has been called "America's newest epidemic" while the UN National Labor Organization has labeled job stress as the "20th Century Disease".
THE SOLUTION:
Faced with such daunting statistics during these uncertain economic times, more and more companies are turning to alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, and massage to reduce work-related stress.
On-site massage has been shown to increase concentration and alertness among employees, as well as reduce depression and anxiety levels. A California study by Kohler and Kamp found that on-site massage also helped maintain employee job satisfaction.
By adopting a wellness program for their employees, companies not only benefit their workers, but also their bottom line. The National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health defines a health-conscious organization as one that has low rates of illness, injury, and disability in its workforce, and is also competitive in the workplace.
Bibliography:
Kohler, S. and Kamp. American Workers Under Pressure. St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, 1992.
Field T, Ironson G, Scafidi F, Nawrocki T, Goncalves A, Burman I, Pickens J, Fox N, Schanberg S, Kuhn C (1996). Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience, 86, 197-205
Cady SH, Jones GE (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84, 157-158