We all know making New Year’s resolutions to make healthier lifestyle choices is easy, but sticking to those goals is more difficult. In fact, by February last year, only 58 percent had maintained their resolutions, and only 8 percent typically achieve their goals by year’s end, according to research conducted by Statistic Brain.
Setting short-term goals and participating in activities that deliver immediate results can help people achieve long-term success for improving health, fitness, nutrition stress management and well-being, (Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2016 Study).
Some When Work Works (WWW) award winners have successfully implemented policies that support employee goals to achieve optimal health and wellness. Many host wellness months, fitness challenges and other activities that inspire healthier lifestyle choices.
Alpha Warranty Services, Inc. in Riverton, UT, offers nutrition and meditation classes, juice bars, healthy lunches, and wellness assessments as part of an annual “Health and Wellness Month.” The organization reports minimal absenteeism and favorable retention rates.
DMLO CPAs in Louisville, KY, and Sansiveri, Kimball & Co., LLP, based in Providence, RI, focus on nutrition and fitness offering various activities, like staff kick-ball teams, weekly fresh fruit deliveries, “Fitbit challenges,” and lunchtime walking clubs. Both organizations sponsor health and wellness challenges where employees track health objectives, and prizes and are awarded for those who achieve their goals.
Employers who understand that effective workplaces are associated with better health and wellness embrace workflex practices as part of their organizational culture. More employees report excellent overall health, less stress, and 75 percent have fewer sleep problems affecting job performance, according to SHRM workflex statistics.
Worksite perks, like ergonomic worksites, free screenings and onsite gyms are also offered by flexible employers. Merjent Inc. of Minneapolis provides ergonomic work stations, healthy snacks, and discounts on gym memberships. The Family Support Services of North Florida in Jacksonville has a Health & Wellness Committee comprised of multi-level employees who created wellness activities, like Lunch & Learns.
Employees at Philadelphia-based, Exude, have access to an on-site wellness expert, nutritionist, biometric screenings, and the “Exude Happiness” stress management program. Lexmark in Lexington, KY, offers unlimited vacation and an on-site wellness center that provides routine check-ups and sick visits.
Spectrum Aeromed in Fargo, ND, created a wellness program six years ago resulting in a decline of health insurance premiums. Program activities focus on employee health needs based on annual, on-site biometric and health risk testing and surveys and has shown positive trends for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index for the group.
Other WWW winners have extended the benefits of workflex into creating an entire culture where employees can truly experience work-life fit. Organizations like Lockton in Kansas City, MO, have structured wellness programs to support the whole individual and provide a variety of resources to promote physical and mental fitness.
To learn more and see additional When Work Works Award winning best practices visit www.whenworkworks.org.
Beth Day is a Washington, DC-area freelance writer and When Work Works contributor. A former US Senate press secretary, Ms. Day was a member of Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran’s staff for over 12 years. She's had feature articles published in Sosland's Baking & Snack magazine and SNAC International's Snack World magazine.
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