Health in the Workplace

Toronto, ON - It appears that Canadian employees are in good health and on the right track when it comes to their well-being, as two in three (67%) indicate that their health was excellent or very good over the past year. According to a new survey conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Sanofi-Aventis, however, almost four in ten (39%) employees acknowledged that workplace stress has made them physically ill at times, and 18 per cent say stress, both at home and work, has made them physically ill. As well, Canadian employees are concerned about being at risk for cancer (78%), heart disease (70%), and diabetes (54%).

Distressingly, while Canadians say they are concerned about obesity (36%) and mental illness (34%), four in ten (40%) did not name diet as a way to prevent obesity, and four in ten (43%) did not name exercise. Additionally, one in four (28%) did not know how to prevent mental illness and even fewer respondents (23%) identified stress reduction.

It also seems as though Canadian employees recognize the importance of workplace wellness programs and education as a means to assist them in coping with increasing health risks. Prevention and workplace wellness practices such as coverage for vaccines (75%), exercise programs (72%) and "cutting edge" drugs (69%) were the highest ranked health priorities. Additionally, seven in ten (71%) without access to workplace wellness programs say they would be interested in participating in such programs if they were available.

A vast majority of Canadian employees (83%) would be more likely to stay in their job if they really believed their employer was interested in maintaining their good health and three in four (75%) think more highly of their employer because of the health benefit plan provided. Fewer Canadians (35%) whose employer provides health education at work are likely to report having high and prolonged workplace stress compared to those without such programs (44%).

Thinking about controlling benefit plan costs, three in four plan members (76%) believe they have an obligation to help their employer control the cost of their health benefit plans and more than nine in ten (96%) believe that preventing disease, illness or injury would help employers control those costs. Nine in ten employees (90%) think governments should take more responsibility for prevention rather than just treatment, and a similar proportion (89%) agrees that governments should spend more on prevention.

Thinking about their workplace, six in ten employees (61%) find it appropriate for their employer to encourage disease, illness and injury prevention as long as their employer does not have access to their personal health records. Additionally, about one in three (35%) believe it would be appropriate for their employer to help them manage their health. While a majority of employees (57%) say that their employer provides health education, it appears that there is still room for improvement as only three in ten (30%) strongly agree their employer is doing enough to promote health and disease, illness and injury prevention.

Thinking about how the government should fund health services, funding through general taxes (71%) is most preferred by Canadians, followed by specific taxes (46%), user fees (41%) and medical savings accounts (32%). While half (53%) of employees have traditional plans with no choice of coverage, only two in ten (15%) say this is the type they most prefer, compared to two in three (65%) who prefer a flexible plan.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Sanofi-Aventis between December 4th and 13th, 2007, with a random national sample of 1,500 primary health benefit plan members. One can say with 95 per cent certainty that the results are within +/- 2.5 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire population been polled.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

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