The Hidden Cost of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace – And What You Can Do About It
How many people in your organization complain of a sore neck or back, stiff shoulders, or wrist pain? Chances are, it’s more than a few. In fact, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the leading causes of employee discomfort, absenteeism — and, critically for employers — health insurance claims. MSD-related claims could be quietly draining your health budget and inflating your health insurance renewal rates year after year.
The Scale of the Problem
According to the World Health Organization, musculoskeletal conditions affect approximately 1.71 billion people worldwide, and are the leading contributor to disability globally. In workplace settings, these conditions often stem from repetitive movements, prolonged desk work, poor ergonomics, and a general lack of movement throughout the day.
A 2021 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that MSDs account for nearly 30% of all worker injury and illness cases. These figures are even more significant in office-based environments where sedentary behavior is the norm. According to research by Liberty Mutual, workplace injuries caused as a result of repetitive motions involving microtasks cost U.S. employers more than US$1.5 billion annually in direct costs alone — and that’s not even counting indirect costs like lost productivity and staff turnover.
Regional research in Asia consistently shows high prevalence of back and neck pain among office workers. In Hong Kong, for example, a study found that nearly 75% of desk workers musculoskeletal symptoms for at least one body region, often due to extended screen time and poor posture. The top three most commonly reported body region with discomfort was shoulder (69%), neck (49%) and lower back (39%).
Why Employers Must Care
Musculoskeletal issues are not just a health problem — they’re a financial one. If your group employer-sponsored health insurance plan is experience-rated, meaning your plan’s claims utilization have a direct impact on your insurance premiums (as is the case for most mid-to-large international employers), every claim counts. A steady stream of physio, chiro, and orthopedic claims from employees with untreated or preventable MSDs means your loss ratio climbs, and with it, your renewal premium.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Other ripple effects include:
- Lower productivity from presenteeism (when employees are physically at work but not operating at full capacity)
- Increased absenteeism and sick leave
- Employee dissatisfaction, leading to retention and morale issues
- Longer recovery times when early intervention is not encouraged
In short, ignoring workplace ergonomics and musculoskeletal health is costing your organization far more than it should.
What Employers Can Do
There’s a lot that organizations can do to reduce MSD-related claims — and it doesn’t always require huge investment.
Support Ergonomic Workstations
Encourage proper desk setups, especially for hybrid or remote staff. This might include adjustable chairs, standing desks, laptop stands, or external monitors. Many employers now provide an ergonomic allowance or partner with suppliers to offer discounted equipment.
READ MORE >> How To Create The Ideal Ergonomic Workstation Setup
Bring in Professionals
Consider organizing on-site physio sessions, posture assessments, or even educational talks on musculoskeletal health. These initiatives are usually well received and demonstrate a genuine investment in staff wellbeing. You can poartner with a nearby clinic or hospital who are interested in promoting their services to your company – its likely they will agree to provide onsite services free-of-charge.
Encourage Microbreaks
Long hours without movement are one of the biggest contributors to MSDs. Encourage regular short breaks using tools like Stretchly, a free desktop app that reminds users to take mindful microbreaks. Even a 30-second stretch every 30 minutes can make a significant difference.
Include Musculoskeletal Prevention in Wellness Programs
MSD prevention should be a part of any well-rounded wellness strategy. Promote physical activity challenges, yoga/stretching classes, or even simple educational campaigns on posture and stretching techniques.
Partner with the Right Insurance Provider
Not all health insurers are equal in their support of preventative care. Make sure your plan includes robust coverage for physiotherapy (though not unlimited cover), chiropractic, and wellness services — and ideally direct billing access to reputable providers so staff don’t avoid treatment due to reimbursement complexity.
How This Ties Back to Health Insurance – and Why It Matters
At One World Cover, we work closely with our clients to help them reduce unnecessary claims and optimize the long-term financial sustainability of their health insurance plan. That means helping companies identify high-frequency, avoidable claims categories — and musculoskeletal issues are almost always at the top of the list.
By reducing the number of avoidable physio or chiro visits (without compromising employee care), we help clients lower their loss ratios, drive downward pressure on premiums, and increase the return on investment of their health insurance plan.
Investing in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders is not just good for your employees — it’s smart business. It reduces claims, boosts productivity, and shows that your organization genuinely cares.
We’re here to help make it happen. If you’d like support in implementing an MSD prevention program or want to discuss your current plan design and claims utilization, get in touch.
Michael Pennington, Customer Experience Director, One World Cover – [email protected]
