Companies could be losing thousands of dollars yearly due to absenteeism. And a large part of that absenteeism, according to studies, is as a result of unhealthy employees.
The disclosure came during the launch of the Walk The Talk 10 000 Steps Of Wellness programme at the offices of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) on Wednesday.
The programme, which is scheduled to begin on April 1, is designed to encourage the workforce to take 10 000 steps per day in an effort to improve their health. The scheme is a collaborative effort between the BCCI, the Small Business Association and the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC).
Tony Walcott, executive director of the BEC and member of the wellness committee set up to oversee the programme, said that based on a recent study here some businesses were losing thousands of dollars annually due to absenteeism. (MM)
