Massaging Corporate America

     Okay, so those of us who have ever been in a) a tense interview, b) a long meeting with the boss, or c) under deadline pressure to perform well at the office/job know how stressful day to day life can be. And, with overtime becoming a "norm," where the usual work week has now bumped up to 50-60 hours, and fewer are Americans taking time off for vacations, it comes as no surprise that 51% of all US workers report high levels of stress due to their jobs ( www.certmag.com ).

     According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, stressed out employees cost US companies $400 billion due to absenteeism, turn-over, long and short disability leave, etc...It is because of these two factors - disgruntled employees and the heavy blow to the bottom line - that many companies across the nation have set up "in-house" relaxation perks.

     One of the more popular ones offered to employees is those perks which involve some type of massage. Why massage? Well, according to researchers at Duke University in conjunction with those at Touch Research Institute, studies have shown that those subjects who participate in some aspect of massage therapy lower the secretion of the stress hormones cortisol, norephinephrine, and dopamine - all anxiety producing hormones.

     Well, that's good news! Less anxious employees become productive employees.

     At ESPN, for example, employees can schedule a ten-minute massage with the in-house masseuse. In fact, this perk is available to all Disney employees. At the small PR boutique firm in Boston where my dear friends works, because the employee population is 95% female, Thursdays are designated "Pedicure and Manicure Day." The employees can receive free foot/hand rubs as well as get their nails done. These perks come at no extra cost to the employees.

     Employers, noting the reduction in employee stress level, see the increase in productivity. Hence, a productive and stress-free employee means more money is coming into the company.

     So, go ahead and schedule that massage. And if anyone asks where you will be at 3pm next Tuesday, say you are at a productivity training meeting. When you return to the office, everyone will notice the "training" benefits.