Giving Workers a Hand Massages on the job can ease physical and emotional stresses of the workplace

…Tiffany Richards, owner of The Back Rub Co., a massage therapy service, doesn’t have to produce science to convince potential clients that massage works. All she has to do is get them in a chair for a 10-minute massage of their neck, shoulders, arms and hands. In less than two years, The Back Rub Co. has expended from one to eight massage therapists, with a large portion of business in workplaces. Richards says the benefits of massage aren’t just physical – workplace massage is also a morale booster, sending a signal that employers care. Richards also believes more companies will use workplace massage to offset the cost of job-related stress. The American Institute of Stress puts the price of job-related stress at $300 billion in accidents, absenteeism, employee turnover, diminished productivity and direct medical, legal and insurance costs. Richards said on days her therapists are scheduled to be at a worksite, absenteeism is minimized.