What Poor Health Is Really Costing Your Company (and What to Do About It)
- April Odom
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Most companies track salaries, turnover, and maybe even engagement scores but what often gets missed is the silent expense that’s quietly draining performance and profit: employee health. And I don’t just mean the obvious medical claims. I’m talking about the ripple effect of fatigue, chronic illness, burnout, and presenteeism all of which result in fewer productive hours, higher insurance costs, and teams running at half-capacity.
💸 The Hidden Drain on Your Bottom Line
Here’s what the data shows:
Chronic diseases and their risk factors cost U.S. employers $36.4 billion annually in lost productivity due to missed workdays (CDC).
On average, each employee costs you $1,685 per year in lost productivity due to health-related absenteeism (CDC).
And here’s the kicker: presenteeism (when someone is physically at work but not functioning due to health issues) often costs 2–3x more than absenteeism.
Let that sink in. Even your “present” employees may not be bringing their full energy, creativity, or clarity to the job and it’s costing you more than you think.
Real-World Example:
Let’s say you have a company with 40 employees. If each employee averages just 5 extra sick days a year, that’s:
200 lost workdays
Roughly $30,000+ in productivity loss
Not including overtime to cover gaps, morale dip, or missed project deadlines
Now factor in undiagnosed conditions like hypertension, stress-induced insomnia, or diabetes and suddenly you’ve got a workforce that looks busy but isn’t performing at its full potential.
📉 Why Traditional Wellness Isn’t Working
Most companies do want to prioritize wellness. But here’s what I often see:
Step challenges and mental health posters that check the box but don’t change behavior
Annual biometric screenings with no follow-up
“Wellness” as a siloed HR initiative instead of an embedded part of the workday
And the result? Low engagement. High skepticism. No measurable outcomes. It’s time we flip the script.
What Actually Works: Embedded, Clinician-Led Wellness
What if instead of sending employees to yet another urgent care visit or ignoring the early warning signs we brought healthcare to them? As a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Physicals Plus Health & Wellness, I'm helping companies:
Host on-site wellness clinics that identify issues early
Offer vitamin injections and preventive screenings during the workday
Provide confidential consultations that employees actually use
Reduce call-outs and costly ER visits through proactive care
When employees have real-time access to healthcare they trust without missing work; everybody wins.
🚀 The Business Case for Doing Better
Let’s stop treating health as a personal problem and start seeing it as what it is: a business imperative.
Your employees want to be well.
Your leadership wants to reduce costs.
And your company deserves a solution that serves both.
Next Step: Let’s Find Your Hidden Costs
I offer a complimentary Health & Productivity Audit for companies with 10 or more employees. It’s a quick, confidential snapshot that helps you:
Identify risk areas
Uncover potential cost savings
Get tailored recommendations based on your workplace needs
Let’s work smarter not harder when it comes to employee well-being.
Click here to request your free audit. (Or message me directly I’m happy to connect.)
About the Author
Dr. April J. Odom is a Doctoral-Prepared Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, wellness strategist, and founder of Physicals Plus, Inc. She helps organizations reduce healthcare costs, improve morale, and retain talent through embedded, clinician-led wellness solutions that reduce burnout, improve retention, and support healthier, more productive teams.