Workplace approach reduces depression costs.

Workplace approach reduces depression costs

Corporation saves $1.4 million in first year

Depression costs American businesses millions of dollars in medical costs and lost productivity each year. In 1995, depression cost Pitney Bowes in Stamford, CT, roughly $2.4 million in direct costs and another $2 million in absenteeism and lost productivity. Fortunately, a new strategy for treating depression in the workplace slashed that figure to a little over $1 million, for a net savings of $1.4 million.

"We have an in-house disability management program that works with return-to-work issues. Behavioral health flows into all areas of physical health needs of our employees," says David L. Tucker, MBA, director of health care planning for Pitney Bowes.

Pitney Bowes …