NEW YORK — When it comes to increasing productivity moreemployers are turning their focus on employee health beyond theworkplace.

A Mercer/Marsh Survey on Health, Productivity and AbsenceManagement Programs 2006 finds that health management is one of themost promising cost management strategies available to employers.According to the study among employers of all sizes, 34% offer afew health management programs on a voluntary basis; 15% offerseveral programs, designed to address needs at all health stages;and 11% offer a comprehensive program. Of those offering suchprograms, 62% also expect the program to reduce incidental sickleave and disability absences, and 60% expect it will improveoverall employee productivity. For 42%, a primary objective is toreduce occupational injuries.

The survey also finds that in general the median total annualbudget for such programs is $25,000. In addition, more employers(37%) are combining incidental absence/sick days and vacation daysin paid-time-off banks, or PTO plans. These plans are most commonamong health care organizations (70%) and financial service firms(46%). An additional 2% offer a PTO plan that does not includeincidental absence days. Of those not currently offering a PTO plan21% are planning to implement one or are considering it.