Getting fit (or fitter) as a personal goal tends to be at the top of almost everyone’s list – but it isn’t always at the top of a company’s list making it difficult to stick to those resolutions or personal milestones. However, there are some companies who are realizing that this personal goal, supported by their place of employment, could work to everyone’s advantage.
Simply put, healthier employees can equal happier and more productive workers.
Companies investing in employee health and wellness often see at least an eight percent increase in workplace productivity. So why wouldn’t companies work to implement this mentality into the company culture? Luckily, it’s becoming easier as companies leverage new technologies such as wearable tech to reinforce this initiative.
With a focus on employee satisfaction and simplicity to fostering in a productive workforce, companies, such as BP, Autodesk, VISTA Staffing Solutions have invested in using wrist devices as part of their wellness programs. BP offers employees Fitbit trackers, which counts steps, track distance and calories, measures sleep quality, and has many other features. With these Fitbit trackers, BP has a million step challenge to encourage employees to make fitness a part of their daily routine. Both BP and its employees benefit from this program through higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, and a happier work environment.
Autodesk also uses Fitbit as part of the overall wellness program. The company started noticing a difference as employees parked farther from the office, walked to work, and would take the long way to meetings or the bathroom – just so they could log their steps.
VISTA Staffing Solutions employees use Fitbit trackers and wi-fi enabled scales in their Retrofit weight loss program. The company estimated that the wellness program, “decreased absenteeism, resulted in a healthier and happier workplace, and is saving the company about $38,035 annually due to decreased medical expenses and increased productivity.” One employee said the program saved her life, helping her lose 47 pounds in nine months and encouraged her to add exercise and healthier eating habits to her daily routine.
Whether it be the Jawbone Up, Nike+ FuelBand, or the popular Fitbit trackers, wearable tech promotes healthy lifestyle changes. According to ABI Research, 13 million wearable devices will be integrated into corporate-wellness plans over the next five years. Fitbit has a corporate wellness solution for any type of business, from small businesses to enterprise size companies. Wearable tech can help businesses and employees have better approaches to a healthy lifestyle, fewer sick days, lower health costs, and an overall clearer path to employee satisfaction.
This article was syndicated from Business 2 Community: Wearables At Work? Think Productivity.
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