By 2021, it’s estimated that health care spending costs will account for nearly 20 percent of gross domestic product, or one-fifth of the U.S. spending economy. The rising costs of health care present a growing cause for concern for many business owners – especially small- to medium-sized businesses like ALTEX.
While many have taken the initial steps toward implementing wellness initiatives in the workplace, many businesses have found the process of gaining traction a challenge. At ALTEX, we’re up for the challenge. We believe that encouraging and facilitating good health practices for our valued employees makes solid business sense. It also can help to improve their quality of life and create a greater sense of work fulfillment.
The Growing Challenge
Not only do unhealthy lifestyles contribute to high health care costs, they are also major factors in increasing costs of doing business through their impact on employee productivity, absenteeism, low employee morale and accidents in the workplace.
According to the Willis Health and Productivity Survey, conducted by Willis North America’s Human Capital Practice, 61 percent of employers identified health habits as the number one challenge in controlling health care cost. To combat these rising costs, many leaders in business are turning to targeted strategies and prevention programs that promote wellness in the workplace and beyond. Creating a culture of prevention and wellness not only creates happier and healthier employees, it also can mean a competitive advantage for your business. 
The ALTEX Solution
Our commitment to worksite wellness led us to join the Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI), the only statewide nonprofit agency specifically dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles for all citizens of Indiana through health promotion activities at work.
Other business leaders like us that have joined WCI have found that wellness programs lead to lower health care costs, decreased absenteeism, staff retention and an overall better employee performance. WCI provides resources such as contact with local and national wellness experts, a nationally renowned AchieveWELL recognition process and the ability to connect with other like-minded workplaces across Indiana.
We’re just embarking on this journey and look forward to using WCI’s blueprint for cultivating a culture of wellness at ALTEX to improve the well-being of our employees. We hope you’ll join us in employing a workplace wellness initiative and in spreading the positive message of good health.
Click here for more information on the Wellness Council of Indiana.