Women who work 45 or more hours a week are at least 50% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women who work 35 to 40 hours a week, according to a study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care. Reasons for the association are unclear, researchers say, but stress associated with longer work hours might contribute to hormone imbalance and resistance to insulin.

The American Psychological Association's Work and Well Being Survey of more than 1,500 adults found 68% were in a better mood after returning to work from vacation or time off and 58% were more productive, but 40% said the benefit was gone within days. About 40% of people said their employer encouraged them to take time off and 64% in that group said their company gave then enough resources to help manage stress.

Inconsistent workplace practices disrupt operational efficiency, waste time and money, and damage morale, Avantas President Jackie Larson writes. Larson offers three strategies for ensuring consistent enforcement of staffing and scheduling policies.

Principal Financial Group in Mason City, Iowa, was an early adopter of employee wellness, and its exercise room, which is used by about 50 people each day, has been around for decades. The company also has wellness challenges, many aimed at weight loss, and gives workers a day off each year for community volunteering.

Culture committees in the workplace should include diverse and committed members and make sure every initiative supports values, writes Rob Seay, HR director at Bonfyre. "It's important your committee has policies in place that ensure no one member wears out their stay so fresh blood can rotate in," Seay writes.

In observance of Independence Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Wednesday. Publication will resume Thursday.