Medical cover, an investment in a more productive workforce

Résumé détaillé

‘Many employers still underestimate the actual cost of poor employee health’ – Tobie du Preez, CEO of Agile Business Solutions.

This interview was originally aired on RSG Geldsake in Afrikaans. The transcript below has been translated into English.

TINUS DE JAGER: There are employers who still view healthcare and wellness merely as a staff perk, but poor employee health, absenteeism, and reduced productivity can cost companies up to 15% daily.

To hear how companies keep their workforce healthy and productive through early intervention, we are speaking with Tobie du Preez, CEO of Agile Business Solutions.

Tobie, good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. Why should human resource policy be considered a core business strategy rather than just a perk?

TOBIE DU PREEZ: Well, many employers still underestimate the actual cost of poor employee health.

Nearly half of cooperative employers still do not have employee-assistance programmes in place. This contributes to absentee employees in the workplace, who – owing to health problems – cannot be fully productive. This can cost companies up to 15% in productivity daily.

In many cases this is mainly related to mental health issues, as well as the increase in and risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. This has far-reaching consequences. Diabetes and high blood pressure are responsible for 53% of our scheme’s claim costs.

By testing these conditions early and intervening timeously, we can help reduce these costs and make a positive difference to the well-being of South Africans and employees so that they can lead longer, healthier lives.

TINUS DE JAGER: Tobie, you are now talking about high blood pressure and overweight employees – even as young as 40 years old. How do these early chronic illnesses affect the workplace in practice?

Début de l'article, extrait de Moneyweb. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.