January 29, 2010 – Promoting occupational health and promoting disease prevention would enable Québec to emerge more quickly from the economic crisis and better face the challenges posed by the state of public finances.
This is what the Promotion Group for Health Prevention (GP2S) offers1 in a brief presented to the Minister of Finance, Raymond Bachand, as part of the 2010-2011 pre-budget consultations.
According to the organization, the Quebec government could reduce its health spending while increasing its revenues by adopting:
- a government policy focused on promoting health in the workplace;
- a multisectoral action plan aimed at mobilizing all of Québec’s economic sectors.
Health and productivity
According to GP2S President and CEO Marie-Claude Pelletier, health and productivity go hand in hand. “A company that is not concerned about the overall health of its workers must pay direct and indirect costs related to” non-health “equivalent to 17% of its payroll. “
However, in the brief of the GP2S, it is indicated that companies with health programs have 11% higher income per employee and an absenteeism rate of 1.8 days less.
Likewise, a physically active employee is 12% more productive than a sedentary colleague, according to GP2S estimates.
It is also argued that the working climate would be better in companies with a health program, their workers having better mental health and suffering less stress, psychological distress and burnout.
Tangible results in the short term?
The approach advocated by GP2S involves government assistance to businesses such as subsidies, tax credits and other measures that can encourage businesses to set up a health program.
But does the government have the means?
“We must avoid considering only expenses in the equation,” warns Marie-Claude Pelletier. The return on investment for the government could be felt as quickly as from the 2e or the 3e year following the adoption of the policy recommended by the members of the GP2S. “
According to Canadian studies identified by the organization, every dollar invested in a workplace health program translates into a return of $ 2.75 to $ 4 on the investment.
“The reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover, as well as the reduction in the cost of group insurance and CSST contributions, for example, thus allow companies to generate better profits, and the government to expand its revenues. », Concludes Marie-Claude Pelletier.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. GP2S, Occupational health, a profitable avenue for all, brief presented on January 19, 2010 to the Minister of Finance of Quebec, as part of the 2010-2011 pre-budget consultations. The thesis is available at the following address, in PDF format: www.gp2s.net/documents/divers/memoire_mfq_gp2s.pdf.
