The Costs of Doing Nothing to Promote Workplace Health

The Hidden Costs

1. Bullying in the workplace may result in: increased turnover, increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, poorer customer service, etc. (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety).
   
   
2. There are many work-related causes of fatigue. Fatigue is difficult to measure and therefore difficult to report on the costs to a workplace but studies report the following effects: reduced productivity/performance; reduced reaction time; increased forgetfulness; increased sick time, absenteeism and turnover; increased medical costs and accident rates (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety).
   
   
3. High work-life conflict is associated with: increased absenteeism; greater perceived stress, depressed mood, and burnout; poorer physical health; poorer job satisfaction; and less commitment to the organization (Canadian Mental Health Association).
   
   
4. Indirect costs associated with employees with undiagnosed depression include: poorer quality service delivery and possible customer dissatisfaction, decreased productivity and increased employment costs due to presenteeism (Watson Wyatt, 2003). At any one time, 1 and 20 employees can be experiencing depression (Canadian Mental Health Association).
   
   
5. Employee stress costs Canadian businesses approximately $12 billion/year (Vanier Institute of the Family).
   
   
6. Increased WSIB rates, increased benefits costs, legal expenses, compromised profits due to error, the costs associated with training replacement workers, decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, etc. These are some of the costs your organization may be facing due to stress in the workplace.

To illustrate, consider the following "Traumatic Accident Model"
developed by the American Institute of Stress:

Source: Burton, 2004

Promoting wellness in the workplace can help to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity.

Facts and Stats to Make the Case for Workplace Health