HEALTHY EMPLOYEES AND ABSENTEEISM

2:00 PM – 3:15 PM 101C (Ocean Center)

Stephen Berry, LYNX - OrlandoRob Gregg, CUTR – USF/Tampa

Center for Urban Transportation Research

Supported by

Florida Operations Network

http://www.transitoperations.org/

Please Identify the Happy / Healthy Transit Employee

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When you are Healthy and Happy: Impact on Work?

Attendance Attitude Morale Motivation Alertness Reduction of at Risk

Less Stress Focus Friendly Productivity Camaraderie Career Longevity

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Why Driver Health is Important

• Drivers are the largest number of employees in public transportation organizations

• Healthy drivers support the retention and long term careers

• Absenteeism adds significant costs to operation budgets. It consumes time and resources in terms of organization and service delivery

Some Statistics

Passenger transit workers* are more likely to have several diseases:• 79 % higher chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)• 70 % higher lower extremity vascular problems• 63 % higher diabetes• 37 % higher carpal tunnel syndrome• 32 % higher asthma• 29 % higher shoulder problems• 28 % higher blood pressure• 25% higher depression• 23 % higher cardiovascular problems• 19 % higher low back pain• 13 % higher gastrointestinal problems

Source: Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies

*includes all types of bus drivers, as well as commuter rail, streetcar, subway, van pool, airport limousine, taxi, and ambulance drivers

Health Targets

Lack of Physical Activity

Unhealthy Diet

Uncontrolled Hypertension

Obesity

Uncontrolled Diabetes

Stress

Poor Back Care

Drug / Alcohol Use

High Cholesterol

Fatigue

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Transit Cooperative Research Program: Transit Operator Health and Wellness Programs

Health Risk Contributing Factors• Sitting position for several hours

• Limited opportunities to eat

• Limited opportunities to use the restroom

• Conflicting task demands

• Stress from traffic

• Stress from customer service

• Low Autonomy and Support (limited connection to Management)

Ways to Improve Driver Health

• Ergonomics of the driver area

• Driving shift • Supervision

Make it easier for bus drivers to be healthy (Best Practices)

Ergonomics

• Position and adjustment of seat

• Steering wheel and pedals

• Visibility and marking of the dashboard

• Adjustability for larger and smaller drivers

• Adequate training (when introducing new bus models)

Scheduling

• Consistent schedule• Adequate periods of rest

between shifts• Forward rotation of shifts

(e.g. morning shift, day shift, night shift)

• Two days off in a row

Work Environment/ Management

• Division of drivers into working groups with assigned supervisor

• Supportive style leadership where drivers have a point of management contact for voicing concerns and learning about new management initiatives

Best Practices

• Wellness Programs

• Onsite Exercise Equipment

• Healthy lunch options near driver breakrooms

• Agency sponsored activities (e.g. sports)

• Incentive programs (e.g. gift certificates)

HART – Hillsborough County• On-site fitness room with classes (e.g.

Zumba & Yoga)

• Wellness club with incentives

• Exercise events (e.g. 5k Area Walks, Dodgeball Volleyball)

• Biometric screening (lower rates on premiums)

• Online coaching through Cigna

• Group weight loss program

HART Wellness Club

• Holds several health events and classes a year

• Participants earn points for attendance

• Points can be redeemed at the Wellness Store for prizes (e.g. LCD TV or Grill)

◦ Digital Scavenger Hunt◦ Volleyball dodgeball◦ Healthy Lunch Event◦ Financial Seminar

◦ Stress◦ Diabetes◦ Colon Cancer◦ Preventive Health

RTS- Gainesville

Shares program with the city of Gainesville:

• Multiple employee exercise facilities in the city

• Pro club offers points for fitness, lifestyle choices, and annual health assessment; points reduce premiums

• Offers disease awareness programs

• Information on exercise and nutrition

RTS Gainesville

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RTS Gainesville

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MCAT- Manatee County

The Your Choice Manatee Health Plan:

• Pays for employee gym memberships

• Programs are offered in weightless, tobacco cessation, nutrition, diabetes prevention, mental health, and fitness

• Participating employees earn health bucks to use towards medical visits/ prescriptions

• The program offers access to several preventive healthcare professionals including: Health Coaches, Nurse advocates, personal trainers, and nutritionists

Manatee Your Choice

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Space Coast Transit-

• Spring and Fall Health Fairs – which include free biometric screening

• Weight Watchers and weight loss challenges

• On-site gym open early till late

• Discounts at several local gym memberships

• Classes in smoking cessation, healthy eating and exercise

• Free flu shots during open enrollment

• Mini-health fairs that start early for our employees

Wellness Program ROI

• Johnson and Johnson conducted a study (2002-2008)

• Determined for every $ 1 dollar invested $2.71 are saved

• Another Study of 185 high health risk employees at a single employer (Milani and Lavie)• 57% of high risk employees went to low risk

• $ 1,421 saved per participant on average were

• $6 ROI per $1 spent

Improved Attendance

• MD Anderson Cancer Center created a workers’ compensation and injury care unit within its employee health and well-being department, staffed by a physician and a nurse case manager. Within Six years:

• Lost work days declined by 80%

• Modified-duty days reduced by 64%.

• Workers’ comp insurance premiums declined by 50%.

• Cost savings totaled $1.5 million (reduction in lost work days multiplied by average pay rates)

Benefits for Employee• Increased well-being, self-image, and self-esteem

• Improved coping skills with stress or other factors affecting health

• Improved health status

• Lower costs for acute health issues

• Lower out of pocket costs for health care services (e.g. reduced premiums; deductibles; co-payments)

• Increased access to health promotion resources and social support

• Improved job satisfaction

• Safer and more supportive work environment

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Wellness Programs: What are the general steps for implementing a program?1. Establish the goal of the wellness program.

2. Decide the company’s level of involvement in the program.

3. Establish the budget and expected return on investment (ROI).

4. Choose employee rewards.

5. Write and communicate the policy/program. 

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How can a wellness program benefit employers?

Wellness programs can benefit employers by: Lowering health care costs. Reducing absenteeism. Achieving higher employee

productivity. Reducing workers’ compensation and

disability-related costs. Reducing injuries. 

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Stephen BerryManager of Transportation Operations