By Dave Griffiths
What does one out of every four employed workers have in common? You may be surprised to learn that they are all dealing with a chronic disease.
Employee-related illnesses have a huge impact on companies, both in bottom-line expense and in productivity. A 2004 study found over 60 percent of unscheduled absences were due to personal illness and issues, costing companies an average of $610 per day, per employee.
A unique new program, called Health Matters at Work, has been designed by Community Health Charities of Kentucky to help area companies encourage wellness and manage chronic diseases affecting their employees, thereby reducing employee absences and creating healthier, happier, more productive employees.
The program makes use of the expertise of Community Health Charities member health agencies to provide on-site health education, prevention and disease management workshops for area companies and their employees.
The Health Matters at Work program is truly a win-win for the community. Employees win by receiving health information and resources they need to not only prevent disease, but also to manage diseases already affecting them. Employers win by creating a culture where employee health and well-being is valued, which can increase morale and worker retention. Our member agencies win by fulfilling their mission of promoting the detection, prevention and management of illness. Finally, Community Health Charities of Kentucky wins by attracting new organizations to our trusted, no-pressure workplace giving program.
Community Health Charities supports these agencies through employee-giving campaigns in the workplace.
Health Matters at Work is available to all area companies at no cost. The only commitment required is for the company to include Community Health Charities in their annual workplace giving program, allowing company employees the opportunity to give donations through payroll-deduction to any or all of our member health agencies if they so choose.
This directed-giving helps our member agencies as they provide services to more than 2 million people in Kentuckiana annually. It is a common misconception that our member agencies receive funds through Metro United Way. While Metro United Way does provide funds to many other charitable organizations throughout our community, Community Health Charities' member agencies depend solely on individual and corporate support through our workplace giving campaigns to fulfill their mission.
To find out how your company can participate in Community Health Charities of Kentucky's Health Matters at Work program, call (502) 261-8327 or www.chcofky.org .
I urge you to be a Champion for Health in our community.
