Wellness and wellness programs have become so important to businesses and to the health of their workers that employers are “going beyond cash incentives to motivate their employees to participate in their firms’ wellness programs,” according to David Cochran, CEO of The Robbins Co., a global recognition and rewards firm based in Attleboro, Mass.
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Some of the new incentives include free health monitors, exercise equipment, air purifiers and massagers.
And the emphasis on wellness programs continues to grow nationwide:
A recent survey of 365 companies shows that 62 percent have these programs–and another 33 percent were considering the idea.
More research shows that 27 percent of companies studied say they had “significant” savings in health-care costs because of employee participation in their wellness programs.
And when good health affects the bottom line, you know it’s a great incentive for employers to continue wellness programs.
Eye bias: “Despite anti-discrimination laws, there continue to be concerns regarding hiring practices in the United States,” according to Richard G. Hammes, president of Hammes and Associates, a management consulting firm based in Barrington.
A major area of employment bias continues to be sex discrimination, reports Hammes, who has a doctorate in psychology.
One facet of discrimination, based on how attractive the job seeker is, has been described as “eye bias. ” And while being perceived as “eye candy” sounds like a compliment, it can also work against women in a subtle way.
The so-called “attractiveness” factor usually isn’t acknowledged by personnel professionals, but it definitely can affect the employment of women and men. And while looks often work in favor of job candidates, they can negatively affect women more than men in certain circumstances.
Here’s what the psychologist has to say about how the power of how you look can determine whether or not you get the job:
“More attractive candidates [in the eye/bias of the hiring official] are more likely to be selected even if they are less qualified,” said Hammes. “They often are judged to be more socially adept and more intelligent than less attractive candidates.”
But here’s the catch, according to the psychologist: “However, for females this factor is reversed if they are applying for male-type roles.”
My conclusion: Beauty should not be the basis for getting a job–or for being rejected for one, either.
It never ends: Mature people, like almost everyone else, want to be actively involved in the real world:
A recent study by the Urban Institute, a non-profit organization in Washington, shows that almost 80 percent of people age 55 and older are in paid employment, volunteering or taking care of their families and those outside of their households.
“These findings sharply contrast with the image of older Americans as unengaged adults living out their older years solely in pursuit of leisure and rest,” report researchers Sheila Zedlewski and Simone Schaner.
They add: “Nonetheless, the results also suggest room to expand engagement opportunities. Unengaged or less engaged older adults represent an untapped source.”
Protecting your space: “Offices are territory, and men like to mark out the bigger and better spaces,” according to Cary J. Broussard, author with Anita Bell of “How to Master the 10 Lessons of Fairy Tales to Transform your Work Life” (Wiley, $24.95). “Women are deemed petty if they make a big deal about their offices, so analyze if it’s worth the fight before you speak up.”
Broussard suggests that you “scope out what other space is available, or when it will open up. That way you can make a specific request. . . . This type of request is harder to dismiss than a general demand for a bigger or better office.”
And then, ask!
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Monday’s and Thursday’s Business sections. Watch her “Career Coach” segments on CLTV.