Employers gain 10 dollars in productivity for every dollar spent on giving Vitamin D for free
Cost of losing 10 minutes of productivy a day = $1,600/year
Median US employee costs $50/hour
= Salary + Health Benefits + Social Security (FICA) + Adminstrative support + Retirement + Vacation + Workers compensation + Bonus + Sick leave + Office space (~$5,000/year)
does not include one-time costs of recruting, onboarding
10 minutes / day = 4 days / year = 32 hours / year
Several health problems each reduce productivity by 10 minutes per day ($1,600/year)
Four-year review of presenteeism data among employees of a large United States health care system:
a retrospective prevalence study - 2018
This does NOT consider lost productivity resulting from sick leave (flu, colds, etc.)
Causes of productivity lost (minutes per day)
Click on the following to see detailed chart
📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Pain reduces productivity by 10 days / year ($4,000/year)
Presenteeism in the workplace: A review and research agenda - 2009
Definitions of Presenteeism
Attending work, as opposed to being absent
Working elevated hours, thus putting in “face time,” even when unfit
Being reluctant to work part-time rather than full time
Being unhealthy but exhibiting no sickness absenteeism
Going to work despite feeling unhealthy
Going to work despite feeling unhealthy or experiencing other events that might normally compel absence
(e.g., child care problems)
Reduced productivity at work due to health problems
A survey found 28% of employees were in pain on the day surveyed
Over 4 weeks, it was estimated that those meeting the pain criterion effectively lost
3.14 days of work due to presenteeism and
0.84 days due to absenteeism,
versus 0.29 day presenteeism and
0.06 days absenteeism for those who did not report pain.
Annual days of lost work due to presenteeism for just those in pain = 3.14 X 12 = 38 days
Annual days of lost work due to presenteeism for all employees = 38 X 28% = 10 days
"The most burdensome conditions in the aggregate were deemed to be (in order)
allergy,
neck and spine problems,
low back pain,
depression, and
arthritis."
"There is considerable agreement across studies that presenteeism
accounts for more aggregate productivity loss than absenteeism."
Elements of the plan
Employees are encouraged to improve their health by taking 1 tiny capsule of vitamin D twice a month
Employer reduces barriers to getting the vitamin D by letting employee families order it at a discount on Amazon
A bottle retailing for $22 contains 100 capsules = 4 years worth of vitamin D
An employer might choose to subsidize Vitamin D to his employees such that a bottle lasting 4 years costs them only $4
Employees learn how they will benefit via education, marketing, workshops, etc.
Be able to get questions asked individually, in a group, online, watching videos. etc.
Example questions
What dosing is needed if already have a specific health problem, are obese, for child, etc.
Is it toxic?
The number of capsules to take to restore vitamin D levels as to quickly stop flu, colds, pain, etc.
What forms of vitamin D are best for poor guts, etc.?
Do I have a health problem that needs more than just Vitamin D? (Magnesium, Omega-3, Resveratrol, . . . )
Potential subjects to cover
Prepare description of entire project, including expectations, phasing
pilot test,
initial engagement 10% then word of mouth getting 30-40%
probably few of healthy (no pain, depression, etc) unless desire to avoid pandemic
Details of benefits to the employee
reduce pain, flu, colds, headaches, COVID-19, depression,
increase job advancement (when not held back by health problems)
Get buy-in by a group of advocates - (expect plan evolution)
Find a person to present it to several companies Attributes
salesman
medical background desirable
not too expensive - but might be able to find funds, provide a commission
Use lessons learned, contact by Workplace Wellness, Grassroots Heatlh
Compare plan to workplace wellness ($10B/year?)
far less behaviour change needed
10 minutes per month
120 minutes per month (exercise, diet change)
Workplace wellness generally focus is on the healthy, rather the unhealthy
Would be nice if bottle of vitamin D could be brought to the employee - not even have to order for it.
Available free on Amazon
Encourage some employees to become advocates
buy and distribute bottles
Discuss with other employees
Would be nice to have a 1 on 1 with an advocate to ask questions
- face-to-face best, Video discussion mught be acceptable
Plan for pilot tests by a company - at 1 or several sites
would be nice if productivity increased could be measured - like Amazon distribution facility, Amazon drivers, etc.
balance between privacy and learn the questions of others