(Editor’s Note: Today’s post is brought to you by Kronos, the leading provider of cloud-based workforce management solutions. In 2006, Kronos founded the Workforce Institute, a think tank to provide research and education on critical workplace issues facing organizations. Check out their latest survey, titled “Sick at Work” about employee and employer sick pay practices.)
I’d like to think by now we all realize that our health is important. Employees should want to be healthy. We benefit by having less stress, allowing us to live longer. Bottom line: employees should place an emphasis on putting healthy activities in place.
And companies should want their employees to become healthier. It translates into more productivity and lower health care costs. Companies should offer programs that encourage employees to get healthy.
One component to getting healthy is having health care insurance.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as PPACA, ACA or Obamacare) has been signed into law. It’s been upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s time to start thinking about implementation.
Ignoring the Affordable Care Act will not make it go away.
Really.
Jennifer Michelle says
One proactive step that human resources managers can take is to launch an employee wellness program. This article, on 5 Simple Steps to Starting a Corporate Wellness Program, can get you off to the right start:
http://jennifermichellecommunications.com/5-simple-steps-to-starting-a-corporate-wellness-program/
Sharlyn Lauby says
Hi everyone! I wanted to share a resource for those looking for more information about implementing the Affordable Care Act within their organization. The Workforce Institute at Kronos recently released a podcast with Dr. Tim Porter-O’Grady, who consults with healthcare providers around the nation. You can listen to the podcast here.
Cynthia says
Since ObamaCare is already a law, this healthcare should be implemented. Promoting healthcare is not merely a loss for companies, they should realize that having healthy workers would increase productivity and somehow contributes to a more positive working environment. It’s now a right, and everyone should acknowledge that right to good health care assistance.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comment Cynthia. I totally agree – the ACA has been taken all the way to the Supreme Court. Now it’s time to focus on implementation.