Study: Health of U.S. Workers Declining

" The Families and Work Institute releasing a study today saying the help of employed American workers is trending down in a big way. Joining us now -- Families and Work Institute president Alan villains Alan welcome. Thank you good to see you. Some of the numbers in your report are are fairly startling that one in five. American workers has high blood pressure or being treated for it and even one in three. Is showing some signs of clinical depression how bad is it the American workplace right now."

" We've seen the health of American employees go down. Their overall reports about their own health -- are decreasing. And one of the interesting things is that it's more likely to be men who are reporting worse tell these days and when women usually do but now men are and -- that there equalizing."

" You see about the same percentage of with where overweight and obese workers. About the same as system overall national average about two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. But is that a problem related to. Companies and employers but rather how people behave in their behavior outside of the workplace at home."

" I think it's when you see that about half of the US employees. Don't exercise regularly. And so that is Derek very much in a personal responsibility because you can work long hours -- and still take care of yourself. But we also find that employees who work an effective workplaces and by that we mean. Where they have some say over how to do their job where -- supervisor supports them and being successful on the job whether they have a good fit between their work. And their personal or family life. Where they have some autonomy whether they have opportunities to learn those employees aren't a lot better physical and mental shape then employees who don't work ineffective or."

" Places what can companies do because when you look at there's some companies like Safeway the grocery store chain which is on the leading edge of this they've offered a lot of incentives. To get people healthier proving -- and you know run five -- for example they do things like that. It seems bizarre that everybody at a company would pay the same health insurance premiums have in the levels of health very greatly. What can companies. Better due to incentivize people to get help."

" I think that that's part of the solution that is companies need to help people who display. Have fun activities could always it's easier to do that when you're in a group or offer opportunities to even take a walk. During the day because if you work straight out all the time. Your your health tends to suffer. Workers can't employers can encourage employees to take their vacation we have 39%. Of employees not taking their full vacation but a low cost and no cost solution that I think it's important to consider during. The health care debates is that companies can. Improve. Their workplaces create more effective workplace is that doesn't take any money to have someone treat someone else with respect. Well how what percentage of companies are already doing that -- do we not give companies enough credit. For trying to change the work in the -- we have seen an increasing number of companies provide effective and flexible workplaces and in fact that the Families and Work Institute. In addition to this new. Report on the health of American employees we have a report called the guide to bold new ideas for making more markets creates downloadable. And it has 260 companies around the country that are creating very effective or places."

" What gives some tips on what may be your viewers who run companies can -- just -- basic things that won't break their bank and they can do to make the workplace healthier. And cheaper for health insurance which is the big wealth and goal."

" Well given the recession companies have done a lot to tap into employees wisdom they've looked at -- two employees for ways to to trim costs. And create more effective work places they've shared tips for taking good care of yourself. We so that you can share what you do that might work can create an atmosphere where people take better care of themselves."

" got to leave it there but the some of the numbers are -- is available on the web for our viewers to look everywhere."

" Our report. On the health of the American workforce is available and it's free at families and work dot org families and work dot org."

" Eligibility thank you so much my pleasure we appreciate it."