Pulse Check: 44% Of Employees Feel There Is Not Enough Leadership Support For DEIB
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives are essential for correcting...
April 19th, 2021
Every month, Wellable asks a single question to the large, growing, and dedicated community of human resources and wellness professionals subscribed to the Wellable Newsletter. The question for April explored how many employers were implementing targeted programs to address employee back pain from prolonged sitting. Of the 144 employers that Wellable polled, less than one out of five are implementing programs to reduce back pain. The vast majority (79%) do not have a program in place.
Question: Does your organization have a strategy or program to help employees address and reduce back pain from prolonged sitting?
Given the connection between prolonged sitting, back pain, and lower productivity, it is a bit surprising that so few companies are helping employees deal with this health concern. Although numbers vary, studies clearly show that prolonged sitting—even as little as four hours a day—is clearly linked to low back pain. One study of call center employees, who sit for almost their entire shift, found that 75% of the participants reported some level of either chronic or acute back pain.
This is why low back pain is an important public health concern in all industrialized countries and something employers should take seriously. A study of studies found that low back pain is the leading cause of disability in persons younger than 45 years old and comprises approximately 40% of all compensation claims in the US. With more than one-quarter of the working population affected by low back pain each year and a large percentage of claims resulting in long durations of missed work (more than 90 workdays lost), employers have a strong economic incentive to implement programs to reduce the number of employees feeling the impact of sedentary work life,
Fortunately, there are several ways employers can help reduce low back pain. Below are a few examples.
Despite overwhelming evidence supporting employers develop programs and policies to address low back pain, companies continue to underinvest in this area. The cost of inaction, especially in the context of increasing remote work arrangements, is staggering. There are small and affordable things companies can do immediately to help.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives are essential for correcting...
COVID-19 caused many employees to re-evaluate their priorities and re-examine their place of work’s...
Already growing in popularity, the pandemic rapidly accelerated the demand for flexible work...
Silicon Valley is hard at work creating the building blocks for the metaverse—an immersive digital...
After nearly two years of uncharacteristically high levels of organizational change and employment...
In an attempt to attract talent and create strong bonds between employees, companies often brand...
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is characterized by “feelings of energy...
Medical treatments occasionally have unintended benefits and use cases. This occurs most commonly...
When external circumstances force an individual, group, or organization to alter the way they...
Whether you’re exploring wellness programs for the first time or are a seasoned veteran looking for...