Large Employer: East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Industry: Battery Manufacturing | Size: 10,000+ employees
 Story: “John, the Line Supervisor”
John has worked at East Penn for 17 years. He’s a line supervisor—reliable, skilled, and respected by his team. But over the last few years, his attendance has quietly slipped. He uses more sick days. He struggles during long shifts. And what no one sees is that every night, John goes home wheezing.
John was diagnosed with COPD at 52. Years of exposure to fine particulate matter in industrial environments likely contributed to his declining lung function—but there were no immediate symptoms, so he kept pushing through. Now, just walking from the parking lot leaves him breathless.
Despite trying to mask it, his productivity has dipped. His fear of losing his job makes him avoid discussing his condition. He misses leadership meetings when he has a flare-up. He passed up a promotion because it would require more speaking and travel.
Hidden cost to East Penn?

• Unreported absenteeism (using PTO for illness)

• Declining productivity

• Avoidable progression of chronic illness due to unmanaged care

Imagine if John had access to proactive virtual respiratory care through Nightingale: real-time monitoring, early intervention, and care that fits around a shift schedule. John wouldn’t just breathe better—he’d lead better.