According to a recent article in the Jacksonville Times-Union, companies such as CSX Corp are increasingly discovering that healthy employees, and by extension, robust employee wellness programs, are good for business, regardless of the bottom line impact on overall health insurance costs.

CSC Corp offers its employees full use of their state-of-the-art fitness centers (free at its headquarters and a minimal fee at field offices). They also offer a variety of health and nutrition education classes such as Weight Watchers and programs for expectant mothers, to portion control servings in the cafeteria and healthful vending machine options. It’s clear that this transportation company with a network that encompasses approximately 21,000 miles of track over 23 states thinks that healthy employees make for a healthy company.

“It’s a motto set by senior management,” said Ken Glover, director of health and wellness and ergonomics for CSX. “Our leaders recognize the importance of our employees and have made their health and wellness an integral part of our core values.”

According to the article:

It’s that belief system and corporate culture reinforced by senior management that has helped CSX reduce its overall employee health care costs, said Glover.

“We’ve definitely seen a favorable return on how effective our prevention efforts have worked,” Glover said.

“With the full support of senior management and their example, employees of all levels understand the importance of this effort,” he said.

Go read the entire article here.

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