When it comes to the level of competition that currently exists in our capitalist society, as well as the competition that also exists in what is increasingly becoming a global economy, every company is looking for an edge—an edge that will make them just a little better, stronger, and more resilient than the other guy. 

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that new and more aggressive programs are being developed to give companies that edge.  One of the latest initiatives in this area is that of health promotion, and one of the programs most directly tied to that initiative is called Health & Productivity Management (H&PM).  This strategy, which strives to ensure the growth of productivity within organizations, is gaining more popularity with each passing year. 

Definition and Differentiation

Let’s start with a definition of H&PM, one devised by the Institute of Health and Productivity Management (IHPM).  That definition is as follows: 

[Health and Productivity Management] is “the integrated management of health and injury risks, chronic illness, and disability to reduce employees’ total health-related costs, including direct medical expenditures, unnecessary absence from work, and lost performance at work (i.e., presenteeism).” 

H&PM has two main focuses, as listed below: 

1.      Health problems that are potentially preventable, especially those that could impact the company in an economic fashion

2.      Sub-par performance in the workplace, with an emphasis on lost productivity due to “presenteeism.”

There are a number of characteristics that make H&PM unique from other health promotion initiatives.  These characteristics stem from the fact that this is a comprehensive approach to productivity management through health promotion.  In addition, this is a thoroughly pro-active program, one built on commitment and designed to reach out to employees, as opposed to many of the traditional models that currently exist.  Below are some of the specific traits that make H&PM different. 

·         Prevention—This is perhaps the major thrust of H&PM, its central platform, so to speak.  It involves three levels of prevention: primary (precaution), secondary (early detection), and tertiary (impact reduction).

·         Integration—The activities within H&PM are designed for integration, meaning that they are both linked and compatible with one another.  In keeping in step with its comprehensive focus, H&PM involves internal integration, intra-organizational integration, and external integration.

·         Recruitment—Simply letting employees know that it’s available is not enough for H&PM.  Recruitment is a staple of the program, utilizing a combination of incentives, personalized attention, and other pro-active but low-pressure methods.

·         Systems-oriented—In order to address all of the potential management and productivity risks, an H&PM program emphasizes the use of systems to ensure a comprehensive (and ultimately more effective) approach to problem solving.

·         Economically focused—The focus of an H&PM program isn’t just on the company’s economic interests, but on the employees’, as well.  If the cost savings realized from the implementation of the program is passed on to the employees, they’ll have more of a vested interest in maintaining the program’s existence.

Commitment is key

Although this represents a brief overview of a Health & Productivity Management program, there are many more details involved.  The number and extent of those details depend upon the company utilizing the program, the industry in which the company operates, and the people that the company employs.  However, regardless of those variables, what needs to be constant in all instances is a pro-active commitment to carrying out the program’s initiatives.  Without that commitment, success is almost impossible. 

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of Health & Productivity Management, what makes this type of program so important?  Why should companies and other organizations consider implementing an H&PM initiative?  In our next issue, we’ll answer these questions and others as we further analyze what H&PM programs have to offer. 

Author: Gary Sorrell

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Posted December 15th, 2009 | | | 1 Comment »