New Zealand has a proud history of hard work and entrepreneurship.  Our "number 8 wire" philosophy has helped New Zealand businesses achieve global recognition.  As business leaders you will fully appreciate the need to get the most from your staff and ensure productivity at all times.  Logic would suggest that healthy employees are more productive and less likely to be absent from the workforce.  Evidence shows that:

• Healthy employees are three times more productive than unhealthy employees, working 143 effective hours per month compared with 49.
• Workers who report their own health as poor take an average 18 days sick leave a year, compared to two days for those in self-reported good health.¹

While there is a lot of media coverage on the impact of the recession, not all areas of the market are facing a decrease in business activity.

Although the unemployment rate rose in the March 2009 quarter, New Zealand has been less affected by global events and is in a relatively better position than most other countries. This is due to factors such as a strong labour market when the downturn began, tax cuts, an increase in government spending and large reductions in interest rates.²

It is important during difficult times to review the strategic plans of your business, maintain a focus on growth and remain open to opportunities as they arise.  Even with a positive attitude and a strong workplace, illness can still affect the bottom line results of your business.

It is estimated that people spend up to 60% of their time at work - more than in any other setting. There is a clear relationship between work and health, with ill health and injury costing New Zealand business approximately $3 billion a year! (Jayne 2004).³

Work-related disease remains a significant factor affecting staff productivity, morale and can significantly influence the day to day running of your business.

It is estimated that between 700 and 1,000 workers die prematurely in New Zealand as a result of work-related disease each year:

• About 80% of these deaths occur in men
• About 30%-40% of these deaths are due to occupational cancers including lung cancer, mesothelioma, leukaemia, and bladder cancer 
• Other occupational diseases representing a high burden include ischaemic heart disease and respiratory diseases.

There are estimated 17,000-20,000 new cases of work-related disease and 2,500-5,500 new severe cases of work-related disease every year:

• About 75% of these diseases occur in men
• Musculoskeletal disease is thought to be the highest incidence occupation-related disease, followed by diseases of the ear, skin disorders, chronic respiratory disease, diseases of the digestive system, and cancer.⁴

By providing health insurance in your workplace you may be able to assist your staff in dealing with a life threatening illness sooner and allow them to get back to health (and work) faster. Often the cost of providing subsidised healthcare in your business is less than 1% of your total salary bill.

1. Source: www.employers.fitness2live.co.nz
2. Source: Statistics New Zealand Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) results for the March 2009 quarter 
3. Source: www.nzwellatwork.co.nz
4. Source: These statistics come from The Burden of Occupational Disease and Injury in New Zealand.