Businesses On The Road To Wellness
Local firms hit the gym
By Phyllis Hanlon
Special To The Worcester Business Journal
The traditional view of the workplace was fairly black and white: the boss or manager worried about whether an employee was getting the job done, and that was about it.
But today, what happens to that employee outside the office cubicle is becoming more important. That concern is not because big business is interested in being Big Brother a la George Orwell's 1984. Instead, CEOs and company presidents are realizing that their employees' lifestyles can have an impact on the bottom line, especially when it comes to sky-rocketing health care costs.
As a result of those increased health costs, more business owners in Central Massachusetts are putting their money where their mouths are when it comes to health care by starting corporate wellness initiatives.
Return On Investment
Jarrod Johnston, vice-president of Sims Premier Fitness in Charlton, noted that increased awareness of the importance of good health is driving companies to invest in their employees' wellness.
"Some companies can't afford to give out raises, but to offer a discount at a fitness facility goes a long way toward healthy living," he said. The incentive for many employers to offer memberships is because they in turn get discounts from health care providers by offering the memberships.
Doug Heywood is just such a human resources manager. His employer, Worcester Envelope, offers a discounted membership at Auburn Wellness. In addition, the company offers several programs in-house that strive to reduce stress and absenteeism, make better use of health care dollars and promote overall fitness for employees.
On-Site Services
The company has run Weight Watcher's meetings on site and recently developed its own successful in-house weight reduction program.
"Participants share healthy recipes and have a weekly weigh-in," said Heywood.
Wellness initiatives can also help productivity, according to David P. Forsberg, head of the Worcester Business Development Corp.
"The healthier you are, the happier you are. And you're a better worker," he said. "So anecdotally, working out does make you more productive."
Because of that philosophy, the WBDC partnered three years ago with Worcester Fitness to address the quasi-public agency's wellness needs. Forsberg said their arrangement allows family members as well as employees to take advantage of a reduced rate gym membership.
Forsberg cites a boost in morale as one of the most noticeable benefits of working out.
Not surprisingly, many local companies in the health care industry have been on the corporate wellness kick for quite some time. Included in that category is Fallon Community Health Plan, which gives its 685 employees access to an on-site fully equipped fitness room, according to Bonnie Cook, director of benefits and human resource information systems for the HMO.
Cook said that FCHP has several ongoing programs as well as special wellness-related events geared toward healthy living that target three areas: smoking cessation, stress and nutrition/exercise.
FCHP's Lunch and Lean programs and wellness newsletters offer information on various aspects of health from stretching exercises at your desk and family fitness activities to healthy recipes and behavior modification.
At its annual benefits fair, FCHP provides information on health insurance plus ways to stay or get fit.
"I'd like to think that the wellness program affects turnover positively. People who work here feel it's a good place to work and the wellness program is a part of this," she said. "These programs serve a tangible purpose. They help our 685 employees remain as healthy and productive as possible.
Ultimately, this helps manage our costs."
Eileen Stowe, manager of occupational health for AstraZeneca's research and development division in Boston and its Westborough supply site, said that the pharmaceutical company offers so many programs and activities that "every employee has an opportunity to participate in something."
That's because wellness is an important part of the company culture and that commitment begins at the top, she said.
From a tobacco cessation initiative that includes free counseling and products and routine health screenings for breast, prostate and skin cancer to nutrition counseling - 70 percent of the vending machine contents are healthy - and access to on-site medical care, the company provides a full complement of options.
While AstraZeneca does reimburse for memberships in outside fitness facilities, the company encourages participation in one or more of the on-site wellness activities. "We have a broad offering of programs so people can chose what suits their lifestyle," Stowe said.
The Worcester-based law firm of Mirick O'Connell has a nearly 15-year tradition of wellness promotion and has worked with Worcester Fitness since 2001. According to Betsy R. Landry, human resources manager, the firm's wellness committee arranges on-site fitness fairs, Weight Watchers at Work, healthy breakfasts and lunches, and sponsors teams in the annual Worcester Stair Climb and other runs/walks for area nonprofit organizations.
According to Landry, investing in corporate wellness makes sense. "From a business perspective, it is a win-win initiative, as the commitment to promoting wellness not only benefits our employees, but also leads to higher employee morale, less absenteeism, and happier and healthier employees, all of which have a positive effect on the bottom line."
Phyllis Hanlon is a freelance writer based in Charlton.
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