Marriage and Family Wellness Corporate America’s Business? Health and Performance Solutions University Presented by Carl and Nancy Terry November 13, 2008 Health and Performance Solutions University Presented by Carl and Nancy Terry November 13, 2008

OBJECTIVES Marriage in America Importance of Marriage to Healthy Workplace Cost of Divorce and Marital Problems Marriage Benefits for a Company What can be done to promote stronger Marriages

Current Situation Business & Marriage both seek to create positive relationships that will make their partners happy. There is an Interdependence of Marriage and Business, especially when marital problems lead to divorce in the marketplace.

The Current Situation 2.3 million marriages a year 1.2 million divorces a year Most people who divorce get remarried 90% of Americans marry at least once The cohabitation rate has risen 1200% over the past 4 decades

Healthy Workplace Research A healthy workplace: “Maximizes the integration of worker goals for well-being and company objectives for profitability and productivity.” Grawitch, M.J., (2006), Gottschalk, M., & Munz, D.C. (2006). The path to a healthy workplace: A critical review linking healthy workplace practices, employee well-being, and organizational improvements. Consulting Psychology Journal, 58,

Healthy Workplace Research Work life and family life are intertwined. Optimizing employee performance and satisfaction occurs easiest when outside influences like family are considered. Ford, M.T., Heinen, B.A., & Langkamer, K.L. (2007). Work and family satisfaction and Conflict: A meta-analysis of cross-domain relations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92,

Healthy Workplace Research Employees who are highly committed to their roles as parents and spouses benefit companies. Graves, L.M., Ohlott, P.J., & Ruderman, M.N. (2007). Commitment to family roles: Effects on managers’ attitudes and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92,

Summary Building Marriage & Family Wellness Improves a Company’s overall Financial Health. Marriage & Family Wellness should be an Economically-driven Priority.

Marriage Benefits –Better Health –Longer Lives –More Satisfying Sex Over half (54%) of married males and 43% of married females are extremely satisfied with their sexual relationship. The frequency of sex is also higher in married couples than cohabiting and dating persons. –More Wealth Median married household net worth is $132,000 compared to $35,000 for singles, $42,275 for widowed individuals and $33,670 for divorced individuals. –Children who do better emotionally and academically “The Case for Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially” by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher

Strengths of Happy Couples Communication Flexibility Closeness Personality compatibility Conflict Resolution National Survey 2008 Conducted by David H. Olson & Amy Olson-Sigg.

Two Major Conclusions from Research: Happily married employees increase profitability Unhappily married employees decrease profitability

Relational Pathway to Decreased Profits Problematic Personal Relationships Decreased Profit & Productivity Work-Life Conflict Increased Life Stress Poor Health/Increased Healthcare Costs Negative Work Environment

Costs of Divorce & Marital Problems Financial Impact Summary: –Each divorce costs society about $25,000- $30,000 –Stress related issues cost Corporate America $300 billion annually –New research indicates divorce costs taxpayers an estimated $112 billion in federal and state expenditures annually

Relational Pathway to Increased Profits Healthy Personal Relationships Increased Profit & Productivity Work-Life Balance Mastery of Life Stress Better Health/Lower Healthcare Costs Positive Work Environment

Marriage & Family Wellness Company Benefits Happily married couples are more loyal and stable employees –Reduced job turnover –Lower rates of absenteeism –More dependable and motivated –Greater levels of retention Happily married employees are healthier –Immune system functioning is improved for happily married couples

Marriage & Family Wellness Company Benefits Prevention programs are a great investment –ROI Studies have attributed up to $6.85 for every $1.00 invested in employee wellness programs Happily married couples increase company profits –More productive work environment results in a healthier, more productive, and lower liabilities

2007 Survey Online survey created and distributed to HR managers and executives. –Represented over 500,000 employees across industry sectors –Average salary was $38,400 (non-managerial) and $71,300 (managerial)

The Value Proposition: Costs of Divorce [Company Example with 10 Divorces/year] Pay rates 10 hours/week lost (at 75%) 1 hour/week/employee lost 1 hour/week lost 2.5 hours/week lost 10 minutes/week/employee lost 15 minutes/week lost Total Cost of Divorce per Employee Total Cost to your Organization Divorces per year Appendix B, page 24-26

2007 Survey Data Of over 500,000 employees across numerous industry sectors in the the past year: Each divorce costs $7, These companies lost $199,052,750 These companies experienced 25,000 divorces last year X =

2007 Survey Executive Summary of survey can be found at: Cost of divorce formula can be found at:

What can Your Company do to Promote Marriage & Family Wellness? Connect “Practice” with “Policy” Know your company’s relational starting point via valid relationship assessment tools Offer marriage and relationship education to increase overall relational wellness Offer relational coaching through your existing EAP structure

Marriage & Family Wellness: The Corporate “So What” It is economically smart to make marriage and divorce your business…the research and results show the positive economic impact it will yield in your company and organization.

Marriage & Family Wellness: Corporate America’s Business? To download the Research Report: or download/Corporate_America_Business.pdf Can also order additional hard copies through PREPARE-ENRICH offices. (800)

Assessment & Program Evaluation Couple Checkup® On Achieve Solutions Relationship Inventory Coping and Stress Profile® Available from On Achieve Solutions Stress Assessment

Marriage CoMission Mission: Unite Marriage Champions from across 7 key sectors of influence in America to lead a renaissance of marriage and family in America. Corporate Sector – Making relational wellness (personal, professional, marriage and family) as central to human resource development in corporate America.

Marriage Movement and the Corporate Sector Do Corporations have a natural stake in the strengthening of marriage? –Yes … –Business-Micro: healthy marriages = more productive employees. –Business-Macro: when families fail government grows = larger tax burden. –Macro Economics: family centered cultures fuel free enterprise (vs. state centered cultures)

Corporate America Focused On Growing Human Capital Total W ellness is the emerging focus- –Physical Medical insurance Wellness …preventative… incentives; Fitness, etc –Relational Professional – leadership people skills Personal – self-awareness that improves communication skills, conflict management Marriage & Family –Spiritual Purpose and significance Chaplains

The Challenge Increasing Marriage and Family Satisfaction and Health by Focusing on Relational Wellness

Value Options Can Assist you Consultation Assessment Tools Marriage and Parent Counseling Relational Coaching Seminars and Trainings

Thank You