What is a Biometric Test And Why Employers Should Offer Them

We can’t emphasize enough that being healthy is paramount to success in today’s harsh and demanding world. People can only overcome life’s difficulties if they are healthy and fit.

To be healthy means having physical, mental, and social well-being. It implies that people are free from diseases. It also means they can recover and bounce back swiftly whenever they fall ill.

There are several ways people can stay healthy such as exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, doing yoga and meditation, etc.

In an organization, the health of its employees is of the utmost importance. It is the key factor in determining productivity and output. When employees are in good health, they are less likely to be absent. They are more motivated and productive.

Overall, an organization can only function properly if its employees are healthy.

But, maintaining a healthy body and mind is becoming increasingly hard in our time, especially for corporate employees. Some reasons for this are environmental pollution, preservatives, chemicals in foods, sedentary behaviors, and workplace stress.

Above all these, with the increasing use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, even healthy people become unhealthy. Conditions and health risks like heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure are now common.

How Can Employers Help Identify Health Risks And Improve Employee Health?

As has been mentioned, employee health is very important for employers. Employers worldwide have started offering health and wellness programs and similar initiatives for their employees.

From introducing wellness challenges to organizing health fairs, employers take steps to ensure their employees stay healthy.

One more way to assess and improve employee health, which is growing quickly in popularity, is conducting a Biometric screening.

What Is a Biometric Screening?

Biometric screenings are tests in which physical measurements and biometric data are taken to assess employees' health. They are short, convenient, and can be conducted in offices and work sites. They allow employers to set a reference standard for employee health status and assess changes over time.

Usually, health professionals conduct biometric health screenings. The screening measures height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, etc.

Also, employees must fast before the test as blood samples are taken intravenously. Before the blood samples are taken, employees are given questionnaires. They must fill them up with relevant information such as family history, behavior, medical conditions, etc.

Many biometric test providers include other methods to cut costs and effort. But, an excellent biometric screening always has blood draws. Blood tests are the most reliable and consistent way to ascertain health problems.

The screening results are sent to the employees personally, and personal information is not shared without consent.

Why Should Employers Provide Them?

One of the biggest problems for employers is the increasing rates of health care costs. The vast majority of health care costs are because of health conditions that could have been prevented if detected earlier. Thus, employers need to conduct health assessments to identify health risks and nip them in the bud.

According to a survey, 74 percent of US companies provide biometric tests for their workplace health and wellness programs.

If you are an employer wanting to start a wellness program in your company, you should start by conducting a biometric test. Doing so will allow you to analyze the health of your employees and then take steps to improve it accordingly.

Also, having a proper health analysis will help you understand how to design and strategize the wellness program.

Conducting a biometric test can be very beneficial for employers and employees alike.

Importance of Biometric Screenings For Employers

1. They help establish a baseline of employee health status through detailed reports.
2. They identify chronic health conditions of employees in the earliest stages.
3. You can learn what kinds of wellness initiatives would benefit you the most.
4. Such tests show concern and care for the health of your workforce.
5. They help reduce health care costs.
6. They can help improve productivity, morale, satisfaction and decreases absenteeism.
7. Biometric testing promotes health awareness and healthy habits.
8. They enable you to formulate a health plan or organize health coaching sessions to improve employee health.

Benefits of Biometric Test For Employees

1. They can access information about their health.
2. They can identify health risks such as high cholesterol levels and take steps to reduce them.
3. Biometric screenings save time as they would not require going to a medical facility to get the tests done.
4. They recognize you as a concerned employer, and it helps them stay satisfied in their job.
5. They can perform better and be more productive.

All these reasons are more than enough for you to offer biometric screening tests for your employees. But just offering one for your workforce is not enough. You have to make sure participation and engagement are high.

Also, you need to be able to take relevant action once the results come in.

Pro Tips For Employee Participation in Biometric Screenings

1. Offer incentives to your employees for completing the screening. Offering rewards like paid leaves, healthy snacks, or cash prizes are guaranteed ways to increase participation.
2. Allow your employees to bring their spouses and family members for the test as well.
3. Ensure the privacy of your employees’ information. Reassure them that all data obtained is kept confidential.
4. Promote the importance and benefits of biometric screenings to your employees through emails and newsletters.

Ways to Increase Post-Screening Engagement

1. Hire a biometric screening provider or health coach that can engage employees after the results are in. Renowned providers do this by sending emails, calls, or texts to employees at risk of health problems.
2. Help your employees to adopt healthy behaviors by introducing wellness initiatives such as weight loss challenges, cycle to work schemes, etc.
3. Invite a health coach or nutritionist to your workplace to educate and advise individuals with high risks of health problems.

Conclusion

If your objective is to improve your employees' health, you should start by conducting a biometric test.

A biometric test will help your employees, and you take the proper steps towards improving health. They are a great way to identify potential health risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. They are also quick, efficient, and convenient.

After all, if your employees are healthy, they will be able to function correctly. Without healthy employees, workplace productivity, team morale, and company image will all suffer.

So, make sure your employees are on the right path towards health and wellness by conducting a biometric screening.

This article is written by Shah Alif Ahmed and Nizamul Bhuyan. Both Work as Content Marketers at Vantage Circle.For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com