Americans could live 19 extra years with the right employer.

Americans could live 19 extra years with the right employer.

Want to Live Longer? Pick the Right Employer

Image Source: Fortune

Are you looking for a job that not only supports your financial well-being but also takes care of your health and wellness? Well, look no further. Companies like Deloitte are revolutionizing employee benefits by offering a wide range of wellness options that go beyond the typical healthcare offerings. They believe that a healthy and fulfilled workforce leads to increased productivity and longevity. In fact, their approach to employee wellness has the potential to add not just years but quality years to your life.

Deloitte’s wellness benefit allows employees up to $1,000 annually for items that can improve their health and wellness. While gym memberships are included, the benefit also covers purchases that enhance mental health, such as musical instruments, and items that promote sustainability, like solar panels. This unique subsidy has opened the door to a world of possibilities for employees like Davis. It has enabled him to pursue his passions and nurture his emotional well-being without making sacrifices in other areas of his life. From family karaoke setups to green fees for golf with his dad and books to inform his next project of establishing a chicken farm, Deloitte has made Davis’s dreams a reality.

For Davis, tending to his sustainable acreage, with company-funded improvements, has become more than just a hobby; it’s a source of immense joy and fulfillment. It’s a place where he feels like a great human being, surrounded by his loved ones. The benefits provided by Deloitte have allowed him to embrace and prioritize his emotional health, making his off-time truly amazing.

The idea of wellness care becoming a key employee benefit is gaining traction among business leaders, public health officials, and physicians. They recognize that employers have the unique ability to dramatically impact the quality and length of their employees’ lives, resulting in a more dedicated and productive workforce. Currently, the average American life span is just 76 years, the shortest it has been in years. Deloitte’s report, released in June, highlights that with the right approach to health and wellness, Americans could live nearly 90 years, with up to 95% of those years in good health. This represents an average increase of 12 years in life span and 19 years in health span by 2040.

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To achieve this extended life span vision, the private sector, particularly employers, must embrace and celebrate wellness. Dr. Asif Dhar, a coauthor of the report and Deloitte’s vice-chair and life sciences and healthcare industry leader, emphasizes the pivotal role that employers can play in this transformation. Unlike sectors like public health and healthcare, employers are uniquely positioned due to the wide coverage of health insurance they provide to more than half of U.S. residents.

Dr. Lee Newman, director of the Colorado School of Public Health’s Center for Health, Work, and Environment, supports the notion of total worker health. He explains that employers must not only ensure the safety of their employees but also focus on their overall well-being. By doing so, employers can contribute to positive health outcomes for both parties involved. This concept has gained traction across industries, with many major corporations adopting a total worker health approach.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers became accustomed to prioritizing employee health and safety for the sake of workforce resilience. Now, as the world begins to recover, some employers are questioning whether this approach should be expanded further. After all, the workplace is a social determinant of health, and companies, regardless of the industry they operate in, have the potential to become healthcare companies themselves.

Alongside the potential for improved health outcomes, there are other tangible benefits for employers who prioritize wellness. Physically and emotionally healthy workers tend to be more productive and creative. Additionally, if employees live longer, they may work longer before retiring. Many employers are already self-insured, meaning they have a significant financial incentive to promote illness prevention. Treating chronic conditions in their early stages is not only easier but also less expensive.

Offering wellness benefits can also give companies a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent. Davis, a coauthor of the report, notes that Deloitte’s well-being subsidy is highly valued by his team. It has become an incredibly powerful tool in shaping their corporate culture and has aided in retaining employees.

While there is no standard definition of wellness benefits and no reliable data on the percentage of companies offering them, the importance of tailoring these benefits to individual workplaces cannot be overstated. Each employer must consider their employees’ unique vulnerabilities to specific health issues. Factors such as the nature of the work environment, location within the community, and access to relevant resources should shape company policies. It’s about creating a holistic approach that addresses the specific needs of employees and fosters a healthy workplace culture.

Dr. Newman advises employers to provide access to evidence-based programs that help employees identify and manage chronic conditions early on. However, he emphasizes that even the best wellness programs are no substitute for quality leadership. Toxic work environments and stress-related issues can still cause detrimental effects on employees’ mental and physical health. Moving upstream and creating work environments that prioritize employee well-being can be another effective tool for improving longevity and well-being.

So, if you want to live longer and enjoy a fulfilling life, choose your employer wisely. Seek out companies that value employee well-being and offer comprehensive wellness benefits. By embracing the concept of total worker health, companies can contribute to a brighter, healthier future for their employees and themselves.

This article appears in the August/September 2023 issue of ANBLE with the headline, “Want to live longer? Pick the right employer.”