Negative emotions may stand in the way of employee wellness

Monday, 15 August 2011 16:00

News - Employee Wellness

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One of the challenges in determining whether an employee wellness program will be successful is figuring out the personal and work-related obstacles that stand in the way of a worker's desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.

It appears as though stress and anxiety are barriers for many staff members, in addition to feelings of depression and inadequate social support, according to a study conducted by ComPsych.

"To be effective, corporate wellness programs must focus on emotional as well as physical factors of the employee, and include a counseling component to address underlying issues," said Richard Chaifetz, the company's CEO.

The survey revealed that an estimated 40 percent of employees cite emotional or physical health issues as sources of distraction from normal daily activities, with 36 percent saying that their feelings of tension are present at most times. Moreover, 43 percent of survey respondents reported having little support from family and friends.

The study also provided some insight in to employees' eating and drinking habits. A total of 34 percent said they consume one serving or less of fresh produce daily, and 23 percent said they had recently engaged in binge drinking.