Benefits to employees apart from their monthly salary is
essential nowadays. Business organizations are rated according to
the benefits provided by them to their employees. But, apart from
being necessary, it is also an expenditure. Therefore, companies do
everything in their power to bring down the cost of these benefits.
Health benefits are most costly and these are some of the ways
companies can bring down the cost of health benefits:
- Instead of going to Emergency sections for every minor injury,
the company can invest in an on-premise clinic with a nurse
constantly available to cater to the employees. This brings down
the costs substantially as ER in hospitals have high fees whereas a
company having a huge workforce can be caused by one or two health
professionals. This will ultimately save the company a lot of money
which otherwise would have been spent in the emergency sections in
the hospitals.
- The company can invest in programs which help the employees in
quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking. Smoking has been a prime
reason for many diseases including early deaths. This not only
affects the productivity of the employees due to high sick leaves
but a substantial amount of working hours are lost due to smoking
breaks taken by the employees. By encouraging employees to quit
smoking, the company can increase productivity, reduce breaks in
working hours, sick leaves and bring down the costs of health
benefits provided to the employees.
- There are many discounts offers the company can avail for
pharmaceutical products such as medicines. Wholesalers and
retailers have been known to offer attractive discounts drug
programs to companies. These discounts are available on generic as
well as over the counter drugs. This helps in bringing down the
cost of health benefits.
- A company can invest in the gym and other sports facilities at
office premises or can make available to their employees' gym
memberships at discounts. These promote healthy living among
employees, bringing down the costs of health benefits as well as
increasing the productivity and overall health of the
employees.