FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2000
CONTACT: Lisa Garb(973) 799-0200[email protected]
Innovative Ways To Improve Employee Health and Productivity UnveiledAt First-Of-Its-Kind Gathering Of Leading North American Companies
Corporate Leaders Call For New Business Paradigm
Irving, TX -- The Institute for Health & Productivity Management (IHPM), the premier resource on employee health's impact on productivity, recently brought together 125 American and Canadian business executives to discuss innovative ways to improve employee health and corporate productivity. The "North American Leadership Summit: Employer Advances in Health and Productivity Management," held in Toronto this month, advanced the case for an integrated total health and productivity management business model.
"There is documented evidence that a worker's health, both mental and physical, directly influences productivity no matter what type of work is involved," said Sean Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of the IHPM. "A recurrent theme of the Summit was that companies should promote health within their organizations, not only to demonstrate a caring attitude toward their employees, but also to increase worker productivity and, ultimately, business performance. Lifestyle and behavior changes through corporate health programs may also significantly reduce health care costs, and focused disease management programs can keep an aging workforce healthier and more productive. Put simply, it makes good business sense," he said.
He continued, "Traditionally, many employers have viewed health in the workplace as a costly benefit for employees. That's now changing, and for the better. As today's business leaders are realizing that among their most valuable assets is a healthy and productive workforce, worker health is being seen more as an investment to increase the value of employees," he said.
Conference highlights included:
Health & Productivity Management Awards Presented
In recognition of outstanding employer programs that promote health and productivity management, the IHPM announced the winners of the first annual Health & Productivity Management Award. The award, sponsored by the Schering-Plough Corporation, was presented by Kent Peterson, senior vice president of the IHPM, to:
Bank One -- Senior Vice President/Corporate Medical Director Wayne N. Burton, M.D. accepted the award on behalf of Bank One and delivered a keynote address. Bank One has clearly demonstrated leadership in its commitment to the health of its employees for more than 10 years and has been able to quantify the results of their health programs and their impact on productivity. Some of the company's accomplishments have included strong wellness programs, identifying the total health costs of diseases and risk factors, creating a worker productivity index and calculating lost work time resulting from absenteeism, short-term disability and "presenteeism" (present, but not fully productive).
Federal Express -- The company was recognized for its outstanding integrated approach to human capital management, its linkage of health and productivity in the workplace through accountability of line management, and its sharply focused case management program.
Other companies showcased for their innovative strategies and executive commitment to health and productivity include Intel, International Truck & Engine, Minnesota Power and Dofasco, Inc. (Canadian Steel Company).
New IHPM Website/Magazine Launched
IHPM launched its new proprietary Website, www.healthandproductivity.com, an interactive medium serving as a unique resource for companies, public employers, and other organizations seeking to maximize the value of their health programs. The Website offers up-to-date information, including the latest research, informative articles and links to other organizations and resources. There is also the opportunity to ask specific questions through a weekly "Ask the Expert" program.
The Web site goes hand-in-hand with the IHPM's upcoming magazine, Health & Productivity Management, set to debut in December. A yearly subscription to the magazine ($95) provides complete and unlimited access to the Website. IHPM members will receive complimentary subscriptions and free Website access. Access to the Website is currently free until December 15, 2000, by keying in the password: [email protected]. Members of the media can also access the site at anytime for free by keying in [email protected].
New Online Database Tool
A new interactive online database tool to help manage health and productivity in the workplace was introduced by Hank Gardner, M.D., CEO of Options and Choices, Inc. (OCI). Gardner, described by IHPM president Sean Sullivan as a "founding father" of the health and productivity movement, has developed this tool to help employers optimize their investment in human capital. OCI will serve as an information provider to the IHPM network and sponsors. Through a new link to IHPM's public Web site, OCI's database will be available to employers and other stakeholders for research, analysis and testing of health and productivity management initiatives.
Corporate Survey Results Announced
The results of an IHPM-sponsored study, "Corporate Decision-Making for Health and Productivity: A Qualitative Investigation" were revealed during the meeting. The research project involved in-depth structured interviews with health and human resources decision-makers in sixty corporations with at least 1,500 employees.
Wendy Lynch, Ph.D., and Susan Willette of William M. Mercer, and John Riedel, president of Riedel & Associates, presented study results.
The study report was distributed to Summit attendees and will be available shortly. This groundbreaking project was sponsored by Pfizer.
Canadian Organization Co-Hosted Summit
"The New Economy has brought new challenges for workforces to improve productivity," said Terry Sullivan, President of the Institute for Work and Health (IWH), a co-host of the Summit. "Companies need to recognize the importance of worker health and its impact on productivity. We held this meeting with the IHPM to foster a learning exchange on ideas to improve health and productivity and provide some practical ideas and strategies." The IWH presented the latest research findings on health and productivity management from Canada.
About the IHPM
The Institute for Health & Productivity Management, a non-profit research and development organization, is dedicated to establishing the value of employee health as a business asset and investment in corporate success. The Institute works with all the major stakeholders in health care for this purpose -- employers, providers, health plans, insurers and employees -- to assemble and analyze databases; develop and refine key metrics and measurement tools; organize pilot projects to build the business case for health and productivity; and carry the message and the evidence to all stakeholders. The IHPM operates from offices in Irving, TX and Richmond, VA. For additional information on IHPM, visit www.ihpm.org.
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