Corporate wellness is something that more and more people are talking about. It’s the (rather obvious) idea that our working environments affect our overall health and happiness. The issue has come to the fore in recent years as a result of a number of high-profile injuries, as well as the news that sitting is the new smoking. Just by working in modern office environments, rather than going out and plowing fields, people are putting their bodies and their minds at risk.

As you might expect, the statistics on workplace wellness are truly shocking. If you follow this link, you’ll find out how companies are letting their staff down when it comes to safety and wellness on the job. Take a look at some of these insane facts about corporate wellness that are nonetheless true.

Fact 1: Smoking At Work Costs Billions

We all know that smoking is damaging to our health. But few people are aware of the true costs to the economy. It is estimated that smoking costs workers and businesses more than $75 billion a year. That’s enough money to build 12 nuclear submarines or a hundred new hospitals – two in every state. The health care costs of smoking are enormous, because of the fact that it produces chronic diseases, as well as the lost productivity of workers who smoke and have to take time off sick.

Fact 2: Americans Find Their Jobs Stressful

Do you find your job stressful? If the answer is yes, it turns out that you’re not alone. According to the data, more than 78 percent of US workers say that they’re stressed out on the job. Not only does this ruin their quality of life, but stress itself has also been shown to lead to health problems and challenges for businesses. Businesses, where workers are stressed, have high turnover and have to spend more money on finding new staff.

Fact 3: Companies Spend Twenty Times More On Treatment Than On Prevention

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But looking at the spending habits of major companies that offer health insurance, you wouldn’t think it. It turns out that for every dollar companies spend on healthcare, 95 cents gets spent on treatment. Only 5 cents gets spent on prevention, even though preventive measures are highly effective.

Fact 4: Most Americans Do Jobs Which Involve No Physical Activity

Do you ever feel like a bit of a couch potato at work? You’re not alone. According to data from the CDC, around 80 percent of people work in jobs that require no physical activity at all. This is one of the reasons why companies are taking such interest in fitness programs for employees. They want their workers to move and be healthier than they otherwise are.

Face 5: Companies That Implement Wellness Programs Benefit

Businesses that implement wellness programs stand to gain a great deal. According to the data, those that instituted programs saw a 28 percent reduction in employee sick leave.