When we think of a “worker,” the first image that often pops into your mind is the office worker. This employee usually labors in controlled environments. However, choosing the best health care plans as an office worker should be done carefully.
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Health Worries in the Office: Aches (and Pains)
The health hazards of office workers are not limited to paper cuts. The primary types of hazards to officer workers’ health are:
- Air quality: Symptoms of poor air quality in offices can include irritated noses, throats, eyes, and skin; flu-like symptoms, exhaustion and headaches. Mainly biological or chemical air pollution causes these symptoms.
- Safety hazards (i.e. fire hazards, accidents, and injuries): As an office worker, you can encounter problems such as slips, trips, and falls; or injuries related to lifting heavy or awkward objects.
- Video-display terminals (VDTs): The most common health problems involving VDTs include red eyes and irritation of eyes; headaches; insomnia; stress; and back, shoulder, and neck pains.
- Environmental issues (i.e. lighting, noise, workplace design): Poor lighting in an office can result in blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain, and dry burning eyes. Also, high noise levels can be harmful to your ears.
- Job-related stress: Physical symptoms of stress include chest pain, increased heart rate, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.
Research Your Health Care Options
As an office worker, you should take particular steps when choosing a health care plan. First, the more information that is analyzed, the easier it will be to choose one. Learn about the different health care plans that your company offers. It is important to match your personal needs with the right plan. In particular, learn about the benefits that a plan offers (i.e. vision care, deductibles, well-baby care, and dental care). Focus on getting health benefits of high quality, rather than the cheapest price. Not all health care providers offer the best care.
In addition to getting information about health care plans, you should also consider major changes in your life. These include change in jobs, alterations in your family status, and preparing for your retirement.
Today, your job as an office worker remains the iconic employee in society. However, obtaining health care as an office worker should never resemble the office tasks of photocopying or rubber stamping!
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