By Margaret Meagher

Ageing populations, economic drivers and the growing incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity and mental illness all translate into work-related stress and adverse conditions in the workplace.

This has led to the growth in staff wellness programs in a range of organisations to counteract low productivity, absenteeism, poor morale, excessive staff turnover, high recruitment costs, disruption to business and loss of intellectual property.

In Australia, there are increasing stressrelated Workcover claims and although the percentage is low, relative to other claims, the cost per claim is generally higher, as is the time absent from work.

In 2008, Medibank Private calculated that stressrelated absenteeism is costing the economy billions of dollars annually. MORE>>

Read the full report: Driving wellness in the workplace [PDF]