Every year, Australian companies lose $7 billion due to people not turning up to work. According to a recent study by Medibank Private, it costs businesses four times more, a whopping $26 billion annually, when employees do show up, but are not working at full capacity.

Dr Trent Watson, CEO of Ethos Health, a Newcastle based company that specialises in workplace health, wellbeing, fatigue and safety management, said companies that act to promote a healthy, happy and safe workforce, benefit from productivity gain, a reduction in absenteeism and seem to retain staff more easily.

“Studies show that organisations that use customised programs to promote health and wellbeing are two and a half times more likely to be one of the best performing companies in their category and their staff are eight times more likely to be engaged in the business,” Trent said.

To help companies achieve this, Ethos Health has created the award-winning RESHAPE initiative, which when implemented in workplaces, works to engage as many employees as possible in making positive lifestyle change.

“It focuses on providing a clear understanding of the health risk factors in your organisation such as nutrition, physical activity, fatigue, smoking, stress and depression, while working to teach participants how to address these,” Trent said.

“Corporate businesses have found the program improves employee retention and innovation while reducing workplace injury, lost time and bottom line costs.

“What sets RESHAPE apart is that the initiative is embedded into the workplace. The shared decision-making and alignment of all stakeholders to create a culture of health in the workplace means that healthy choices become an easy choice, as everyone is on board with a similar motivation and drive.”

Evaluation also ensures the program continues to be improved and targeted to specific workplace needs.

*Study by Medibank Private, 2005, The Health of Australia’s Workforce.

IMAGE | CEO of Ethos Health, Dr Trent Watson.