There are near-countless reasons why a business would start using a corporate health plan. They can attract new employees with added healthcare benefits, retain workers through subsidised health insurance and reduce the number of sick days people take.
One of the biggest advantages is also a moral one - many businesses want to promote health and wellbeing in their workforce. However, could they be overlooking one of the most fundamental building blocks of functioning life: sleep?
Almost two million Australians are affected by sleeping disorders or sleep apnoea.
The science of sleep
It's an issue that not a lot of employers will feel comfortable wading into at first - sleeping is one of the most private matters, after all. And yet, we lose around a third of our life to our beds, and how well we sleep at night is a huge contributor to how productive and healthy we are during the day.
In 2012, the Sleep Health Foundation discovered that the sleep deprivation in the workforce is costing Australian businesses more than $5.1 billion a year in health care and indirect costs, so perhaps it is an issue for employers after all.
The problem is not going away, either. Medibank recently found that almost two million Australians are affected by sleeping disorders or sleep apnoea.
"Whilst fatigue and daytime sleepiness are common symptoms of sleep deprivation, many people aren't aware of the adverse effects a lack of sleep can have on their overall health, brain and body function," Medibank Medical Director Dr Kevin Cheng explained.
So, it's worth taking a deeper look at an important issue that lies under the surface.
A good nights sleep can solve a lot of health issues before they arise.
The effect of sleep deprivation
For a business with a corporate health insurance plan, there may not be a way to actively make your employees better rested. However, there are a number of health issues that can develop from a lack of sleep, as Dr Cheng continued.
"Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. By embracing better sleep habits, you not only improve your overall health but also protect yourself from future illnesses."
Healthline itemises some of the other most pressing health risks, including:
Reduced cognitive function
Moodiness
Memory problems
Hallucinations
Obesity
Weakened immune system
There is also a proven link between sleep deprivation and depression, showing the wide range of negative impacts in both body and mind. Healthline says those with sleep deprivation often become more accident prone, meaning having a tired worker can be a major health and safety risk for other employees.
It's clearly not an ideal situation for the one in 10 Australians who have signs of a sleep disorder, or their employers. Your business health plan will be an important resource, and their health and fitness through private healthcare is supported by your company.
Are your employees suffering from sleep disorders? Would you know if they were?
It means they will have professional help at hand should they become affected by what is quite a common problem. They can receive treatment for sleep apnoea or other sleeping disorders as a first line of defence.
Sleep deprivation in the workforce is costing Australian businesses more than $5.1 billion a year.
They also have access to private healthcare benefits should their sleep issues cause physical or mental illnesses further down the line.
A problem of modern society
The modern workplace is not helping to mitigate the issues of sleep deprivation. Many employees work with screens that produce a large amount of blue light, simulating daylight and altering their brain's perception of the time, particularly if they work late.
Meanwhile, workplace mobility is encouraging employees to be "always on", working from home or remotely where it's difficult for employers to help control their routine. With all this in mind, a corporate health insurance policy is becoming more attractive to help organisations keep people fit and healthy - and save money for the business, to boot.
To discuss what should be on your business's health plan, contact HICA. We can help you choose the benefits that your employees want, while our network as a health insurance broker allows us to find an attractive policy for your budget.
