Stories by Stacey Russell

FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS the local workforce has been challenged by high levels of absenteeism and low levels of productivity and morale.

That was the assessment of one of the directors of Wellnessmax Inc., a service-based small enterprise that is dedicated to enhancing people's physical, mental and social health and improving their quality of life, especially in the workplace.

Lynette Andrew reported that a survey conducted by the company at its start-up
in 1997 showed that employers' greatest concern was absenteeism, followed by
low productivity and morale among staff.

Results of a follow-up assessment last year, she pointed out, confirmed that after a decade, absenteeism was still the No. 1 challenge for those who hired, and productivity and morale were still vexing issues.

Additional worries

The 2007 evaluation of the workplace identified the management of change and customer service as additional worries for employers.

Andrew said the surveys were conducted among Wellnessmax's client base with samples drawn from the banking and
aviation industries, the tourism and agricultural sectors and others.

Her company recommends a lifestyle overhaul among workers, facilitated by their employers.

"Wellness promotion helps companies
to reduce absenteeism; if people feel better about their work and are in better health
they are not absent as much. That helps
to lower medical health care for companies
. . . . People make fewer mistakes, they have fewer accidents, and promote teamwork
and creativity.

"The bottom line is: healthy employees
cost less, they tend to be more fun to work with, and they experience a higher level
of job satisfaction," concluded the human resources professional.