Program to Reduce Work-Family Conflict Pays for Itself

"An intervention to reduce WFC can enhance both employees' health and employers' business," according to the new research, led by health economist Carolina Barbosa, PhD, of RTI International, Chicago.

The researchers evaluated the return on investment (ROI) of the STAR intervention—"an innovative process for creating an effective and productive work culture," developed by the federally funded Work, Family & Health Network. The study used data from an 18-month field experiment among employees at a US information technology company.

The costs of the WFC intervention were "more than offset by cost savings." At an estimated cost of $690 per employee, the STAR program yielded savings of $1,850 per employee (in 2011 dollars). The program had a positive ROI of 1.68—for every dollar spent on STAR, average organizational costs fell by $1.68.

The greatest savings were achieved by reducing the rate of voluntary termination, leading to reduced employee turnover. The intervention was also associated with reduced "presenteeism"—that is, better productivity while at work—and reduced health care use.

While previous studies have shown that WFC interventions such as STAR can positively affect the health and well-being of workers and families, the new study is the first to estimate the ROI of such programs.

"The positive ROI indicates that employers' investment in an intervention to reduce WFC can enhance their business," Dr. Barbosa and coauthors conclude. Their study "provides further evidence to policy makers who are interested in aligning the social welfare objective of improving workers health and wellbeing with the need to make the business case to employers."

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About the AuthorDr. Barbosa may be contacted for interviews at cbarbosa(a)rti.org

About ACOEMACOEM (www.acoem.org), an international society of 4,500 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.

About Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicineThe Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (www.joem.org) is the official journal of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Edited to serve as a guide for physicians, nurses, and researchers, the clinically oriented research articles are an excellent source for new ideas, concepts, techniques, and procedures that can be readily applied in the industrial or commercial employment setting.