India, presently
the most populous and the largest democratic country of the world, does have a
huge population of unemployed youths – uneducated, inadequately educated and
adequately educated; un-skilled, semi-skilled and skilled. This has been a
major concern in the socio-economic development of the country for a couple of
years. Against this backdrop, those who are employed either in government
service or in the fast expanding private and corporate sectors can be termed as
lucky ones. But this is the brighter side of the story. Ironically, their work-life-balance has been in jeopardy,
notwithstanding the pay and perks they receive.
To put it in
plain words, for more than anything else, it has been a growing concern for
quite some time among the working youths in corporate entities in India (and
also in many other countries) that the working environment is becoming more and
more taxing and stressful which naturally results in growing health problems
including depression, hypertension, diabetes etc. It is
needless to reiterate that this has also directly-indirectly been impacting the
health and wellbeing of their family and the society at large.
It is notable
here to find what Dr. Dean Michael Ornish, renowned Physician & Clinical
Professor of Medicine at the University of California has to convey, “Think about it: Heart disease and diabetes, which account for
more deaths in the U.S. and worldwide than everything else combined, are
completely preventable by making comprehensive lifestyle changes, without drugs
or surgery."
The progressive
and employee-friendly companies / organisations do feel and appreciate
this vital health issue and hence embark on Wellness Management Programs as
a major HR activity on a regular basis for all its employees to help and
facilitate them strike a balance between the job requirements and health
issues. This does include addressing issues related
to serious lifestyle aberrations mostly due to lack of awareness and
mindfulness.
That's why Rob
Wittman stresses the point in this way: "Individuals will achieve
healthier lifestyles when prevention and wellness programs are accessible and
available in their workplace, through their health provider, and in their
communities."
The good
corporations all over the world that treat their human resources as the most
vital resource for sustaining quality growth of the company's business and
revenue year after year do discover to their satisfaction that by engaging the employees in wellness management activities
periodically, the company is able to reduce the overall medical expenses
besides keeping the motivation level and degree of loyalty of the employees quite
high.
Not only this,
the surveys and studies have also shown conclusively that wellness management initiatives result in creating a healthy
working environment as feelings of camaraderie, togetherness, and empathy have
been found to be profound among the work force in such companies. Undeniably, all this has also been translated into perceptible
improvement in both top line and bottom line growth of the company.
Finally, I wish to share with you this excellent quote of
Gautam Buddha: “The secret of health for both mind and body is
neither to mourn for the past nor to worry about the future, but to practice
living in the present wisely and mindfully.”
As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, request you to post comments to share your views and experiences.
(hellomilansinha@gmail.com)
# Published in "Morning India" daily.
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# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)
