Section Oneof investing in disabled workers. PP&L found the quantity and
quality of work performed by 12 part-time disabled workers to
be equivalent to that of other employees in its cash receipts
department. Further, to the extent that such programs can
enable disabled workers to continue work, there may be some
ability to limit insurance rates.^97
Ironically, advances in medical technology may allow
even more disabled people to join the workforce. People who
would not have survived a disease or injury in the past may
now live, but may be disabled. Further, with increasing life
spans, there is greater likelihood that people will experience a
disabling condition.^98 Disabled workers may become an even
more attractive source of labor when there are labor shortages.
Investments in Employee Health
Another nontraditional investment approach involves
improvement of employees’ health. Such investments can
increase the productivity of employees. For example, in
underdeveloped countries, increasing the quality of nutrition
and providing basic medical care can increase the productivity
of employees and would thus constitute investments in human
resources. Companies operating maquiladoras in Mexico have
learned that they must furnish two meals a day to ensure that
their workers are receiving sufficient nutrition. As a result,