Good Mental and Spiritual Health Treatment Saves Lots of Money

Impaired Presenteeism

Dow Chemical Company looked at "impaired presenteeism," or the impact of sickness on the productivity of those who come to work while ill. Dow asked about presenteeism issues in a massive survey on worker health issues during 2002, in which the company found that 64% of employees reported having one or more chronic conditions.

The survey generated a startling finding. While chronic ailments such as diabetes, arthritis and circulatory disorders were responsible for the most direct medical costs among employees, the costliest condition per worker overal was depression/anxiety.

Such data helped Dow develop focused intervention strategies on specific conditions that the company wouldn't have known as much about without the survey, the authors write, adding that "Dow's strategy is focusing more on prevention, quality of care, and more sophisticated purchasing, such as pay-for-performance programs."

This is why we at Life Way Ministries help church leaders stay healthy and Life Way Counseling helps company workers stay healthy.

The cost of a conflicted pastoral turn-over can be catastrophic. Losing a leader costs a small church as much as $250,000.00 and a large church several million dollars.

Hiring well and caring for the Pastor and his family's relational health is critical.