Create a Culture of Wellness in the Workplace: The Ten ... · Create a Culture of Wellness in the...

Create a Culture of

Wellness in the

Workplace:

The Ten Best Practices

Perry Lieber

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Create a Culture of Wellness in the Workplace: The Ten Best Practices – FoundWellness LLC.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I Employers Point of View

Chapter 1 Institute Wellness Awareness

Chapter 2 Make Healthy Living Desirable, Not Mandatory

Chapter 3 Use as a Recruitment Tool

Chapter 4 Provide Real Opportunities to Be Healthy

Chapter 5 Reward Good Behavior

Part II Employees Point of View

Chapter 6 Know Where You’re Going

Chapter 7 Get a Move On

Chapter 8 Sleep – or the Lack Thereof

Chapter 9 Add an Hour to Your Day

Chapter 10 The Great Exchange

Conclusion

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Introduction

What corporate leader is there that would not love to have a whole

company filled with healthy, happy, physically fit employees? Even if they

can’t spout all the statistics about the high cost of absenteeism, these

leaders know that it costs them big time. They also know that even when

their employees are physically in the workplace, they are often emotionally

absent. This could be due to stress, fatigue, lethargy, discouragement, low

morale and a number of other causes. Overall, we are a nation made up of

an unhealthy population. Obesity and chronic illnesses run rampant. Few

people are aggressive in a search for wellness. The results are evident within

the workplace. The cost of absenteeism is indeed out of control and quite

disturbing.

Absenteeism costs U.S. companies billions of dollars each year in

lost productivity, wages, poor quality of goods/services and excess

management time. In addition, the employees who do show up to

work are often burdened with extra duties and responsibilities to fill in

for absent employees, which can lead to feelings of frustration and a

decline in morale. … the total annual costs related to lost productivity

totaled $84 billion.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/07/10/the-causes-and-

costs-of-absenteeism-in-the-workplace/

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/07/10/the-causes-and-costs-of-absenteeism-in-the-workplace/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/07/10/the-causes-and-costs-of-absenteeism-in-the-workplace/


Eighty-four billion dollars is a lot of money by anyone’s standards. But

is this simply another statistic to be lamented over? Some corporate leaders

are saying no. They are not willing to simply accept absenteeism as an

unsolvable problem. The pro-active stance they are taking is to begin to

consider employee wellness as a priority. They see that investing in a culture

of healthy living can be a profit-building facet of the company, and because

healthy, happy employees are more motivated to go to work each day,

productivity increases.

There is a general perception that good health and happiness is likely

a pair, and, unfortunately, frequent illness and unhappiness form a match.

In the workplace, employers have discovered that productive workers are

those most likely to be healthy and in good-spirits. They have also

discovered a high cost for unhappiness.

What it takes to contribute to this wellness culture is the core subject

of this book. In it you will learn about ten practices to build a wellness

culture within any company. For further information on this subject contact

us:

805-453-1464

http://www.foundwellness.com/

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Part I

Employers Point of View

Chapter 1

Institute Wellness Awareness

It’s trite and ineffective to simply tell someone to exercise, or lose

weight, or stop smoking, or eat healthy. It’s another thing to help people

understand why exchanging destructive habits for healthy habits can be life

changing (and sometimes life saving). Education, instruction, support, and

promotion are needed to facilitate such lifestyle changes among employees.

And this is what a wellness culture is all about.

In order to be effective, wellness awareness must begin at the

management level and be integrated into the overall DNA of the company.

The idea is to apply methods of healthy living into all the organization's

values. While such an undertaking may require additional funds, planning,

and time and effort in order to make it work, the realized savings in

increased productivity makes it well worth it.

Bringing health and wellness awareness into the workplace, and then

supporting the employees in their own quest for better health, can be

introduced on several levels. Some companies have discovered that just a

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few simple activities have paid off in big dividends. Others have instituted

more comprehensive plans which might include flexible hours which allow for

noon-hour exercise, available showers and lockers, healthy snack and lunch

choices in the cafeteria, wellness instructors, and incentives for weight loss

and smoking cessation.

Whether the endeavors are minimal or extensive, the fact is that

wellness awareness that is fully supported by management has an amazing

effect of the entire workforce. The trickledown effect works.

Awareness is followed by implementation and implementation requires

organizing and planning. Companies who are following this route are able to

report quite amazing results.

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Chapter 2

Make Healthy Living Desirable, Not Mandatory

Once the wellness awareness is conceived and implemented

throughout the top level management, plans can begin to be drawn up as to

how such a program can be effectively carried out.

One strategy is to bring in key employees for the planning sessions.

Look for eager input and possible cooperation. As with any new venture

there will be those who are adverse to the idea – these are not your ideal

candidates for the planning teams. Seek out those who show a sincere

interest in wanting to improve their own health and wellbeing and then to

help others to do the same.

The idea is to create a receptive group who can present the program

as something that will not only be highly enjoyable, but will bring about

great rewards for all employees on a personal level. If the suggestion of a

wellness program comes off as just another requirement from the top

echelon, it could be met with resentment rather than the needed

cooperation. By including a cross-section of employees from various levels, it

ensures a broader ownership of the overall program. These teams will be the

driving force behind the development, implementation and evaluation.

One example is that initial planners can come up with various

corporate challenges between the department teams that will promote both

teamwork and a level of healthy, fun competition.

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Collecting data will be another part of setting up the program. Most

companies have no idea of their employees’ health interests – or their health

risks. One company discovered via a survey that many of their employees

had a desire to be involved in an exercise program, but simply had no time

to fit it into a busy schedule. This bit of information was the motivation for

creating an exercise area and exercise periods during the day.

Yet another company set up a “quit-smoking” program when they

learned that several employees were serious about wanting to kick the habit.

It’s a well-known fact that smoking is a deadly habit; but it also robs work

time due to recurring illnesses among smokers.

Starting up a wellness program within a company often begins slowly

and may grind along for a time with little results. That all changes when

employees feel better, are more alert, have more energy, have a better

outlook on life, and perhaps have lost weight, or even quit smoking. Now

momentum builds. No one has the sell the idea at this point. Even the most

cynical will be on board. And no one feels compelled to join in, but rather

they will feel left out if they don’t.

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Chapter 3

Use as a Recruitment Tool

The effect of an existing wellness program as a recruitment tool cannot

be underestimated. The best and brightest in the corporate world are drawn

to a workplace that offers wellness as part and parcel of their benefit

package.

A healthy workplace is much more attractive than an environment

where wellness is not seen as a priority. The workplace where health and

wellbeing are integrated into the daily patterns of the office means more

than simply warding off the flu. Rather it sees the whole person and

considers the physical, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, emotional,

occupational and mental health of employees.

A company that for the most part retains their employees presents a

more stable and stress-free environment than one where there is a large

amount of turnover. Wellness programs have shown to be a motivating

factor in employee retention. This too makes a workplace more inviting.

Yet another factor of a wellness program is supporting employees in

striving toward a good work-life balance. This means effectively managing

multiple responsibilities at work, at home, and in the community. The full

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scope of such a program aids the employee in physical, emotional, family,

and community health.

It’s true that any effective wellness promotion that a company

undertakes to launch and maintain does not stay within the walls of that

company. It spills out into the employees’ families and their involvement in

the community. This too presents an attractive atmosphere in which to work.

The company that, for instance, is the sponsor of a charity marathon

and a large number of employees run in the marathon, it makes an

impressive show of healthy people who are all on the same team. Who

would not like to work for that kind of company?

Chapter 4

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Provide Real Opportunities to Be Healthy

Studies show that 20% to 30% of medical costs per year are spent on

employees with three major risk factors

Obesity

Smoking

Diabetes

These known risk factors leads to over $200 billion spent on health

related productivity losses. The corporate wellness program that builds on

this knowledge will be able to reduce health care costs. When employers

target and affect the three major health risks among their population, they

can save $700 per employee per year, reduce sick leave by 28%, and save

up to 30% on compensation and disability claims.

A company wellness program is only as good as the implementation

and follow-through. Below are a few ideas that are workable, tangible, and

realistic.

Wellness-Friendly

Brainstorm for ways to turn your workplace into a wellness-friendly

campus. Promote a lunch hour walking club. Encourage employees to opt to

use the stairs rather than the elevator. Provide showers and locker rooms for

lunch hour workouts.

Education

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Incorporate education by recruiting knowledgeable instructors to

conduct sessions on nutrition, stress management, healthy eating while

traveling, how to stop smoking and so on. If available space allows, bring in

fitness instructors for lunch hour workouts.

Better Snack Choices

Break-room snacks are notorious for being full of unhealthy sugar-

laden, fat-laden doughnuts and pastries, partnered up with gallons of coffee.

There always seems to be a box of chocolates sitting out, or the ever-

present bowls of candy on various desks throughout the office. Vending

machines dispense sugary soda pop and salty potato chips.

Instead, provide workers with more nutritious choices. Sodas can be

replaced with milk, juice, or sparkling water. Install vending machines that

are stocked with nutritious items such as trail mix and energy bars. It’s

counterproductive to talk about health problems and not provide ready

solutions.

Consider Mental Health

On-the-job stress can lead to inefficiency, job dissatisfaction, and

absence from work for related health conditions. It’s a known fact that

excessive stress is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep

trouble. This can then lead to high absenteeism due to the health-related

conditions. Stress management classes can be an invaluable asset to any

on-site wellness program.

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These are just a few ideas of how to move a corporate wellness

program out of the talking stages and over into the practical strategies that

can engage all employees.

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Chapter 5

Reward Good Behavior

Different employees will be looking for different results from the

wellness program. Some want to lose weight, others are seeking higher

energy levels, still others want lower blood pressure or a way to manage

their stress. Still others simply want to maintain a healthier lifestyle. From

the outset incentives should be in place to reward those who are diligent in

their participation in the program. As has been stated, nothing about it is

mandatory, but the more successful it becomes, the more the less-eager will

be willing to join in. When they see others conquering their smoking habit,

or losing weight, or being more productive on the job, they will want the

same thing.

In addition to these types of personal rewards, other more concrete

rewards should be implemented. Department competitions were mentioned

earlier in the book. A sense of friendly competition can be carried out both in

numbers of those who achieve their personal goals, as well as physical

competition held at outdoor events. Rewards can range from trophies, to

award plaques, to monetary awards, to gifts, to health club discounts. The

ideas are endless. Some companies use an employee survey at the outset to

discover what rewards are attractive and appealing.

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The key to success is not the types of rewards used. The key to

success is that specific rewards are used and that they work as strong

incentives for active participation by a large number of the employees.

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Part II

Employees Point of View

Chapter 6

Know Where You’re Going

We live in a culture where the vast majority of the population knows

little about health, wellness, nutrition, and plain old good habits that help to

promote health. Much of what is eaten are substances that contain little or

no food value. This refers to highly processed foods that lack nutritive value

and yet are loaded with chemical concoctions with names that are impossible

to pronounce. For the first time in the history of mankind people eat for

taste as opposed to eating for nutrition.

Moving toward a state of health and wellbeing requires first of all a

desire to do so, and then a decision to carry out a plan. As in any endeavor

in life – such as achieving success in your career – it will require mapping

out a plan and setting both long-range and short-range goals along the way.

Each individual will have a different mindset with regard to achieving

good health. For some they just want to shed a few pounds. Others may be

managing a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

What motivates you? Dashing up a flight of stairs without becoming

winded? Looking great in your clothes? Beating someone in a game?

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Running a mini-marathon? Becoming stronger then you ever thought you

could? Take some time to find out what inspires you and others, and use it

to motivate your workout every day. The key is to start where you are and

begin making decisive, deliberate lifestyle changes.

Using a goals chart show where you are now and where you want to

be in three months; six month; a year – then two to five years. Set up mile

markers along the way and be sure to create your own personal rewards

system. When you reach any short-range goal, notate it on your chart and

go out to a movie; or treat yourself to a relaxing massage; or time-out at a

day spa.

The move toward wellness will never happen accidentally. It must be

purposeful. This is why you must know where you are, know where you are

going, know how you are going to get there, and carefully chart the journey.

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Chapter 7

Get a Move On

The two most common reasons why a person does not engage in

regular exercise are:

I don’t like to exercise

I don’t have time to exercise

The real reason, the one that is never expressed, is that people simply

are not fully aware of why exercise is needed in the first place. Without a

doubt we are a highly sedentary people. Cars (or public transportation) take

us where we need to go; elevators whisk us up to the floor where we work;

many of us sit at a desk all day; then when we get home our evenings are

spent on the couch in front of the television, or at the computer.

The list of benefits to the body that is a direct result of regular exercise

is a long one. Below are just a few. Regular exercise:

Reduces Inflammation

Improves Immune Function

Strengthens Your Cardiovascular Systems

Corrects and Prevents Insulin Resistance

Improves Your Mood

Erases the Effects Of Stress

Promotes Deeper Sleep

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For those who have not been exercising in the past, the best plan is

begin slowly and work up until it has become an entrenched lifestyle change.

Find the exercise that you like. Are you a social person? Then perhaps a gym

or health club is the best fit. Do you prefer to be outdoors? Jogging, walking,

or biking may work for you. If you’re a more disciplined type, you can use a

DVD and work out in front of the TV at home. The more you enjoy a

particular exercise the more likely you will be to stick with it.

A work-based wellness program may be just the ticket to get you

started. Here you will have a support team – perhaps even an accountability

partner. Being in a culture of wellness can be a strong motivator. When a

group sets out to jog or work out during lunch hour the excuse of “I don’t

have time” flies out the window.

Your body was designed to move. Exercise is so much more than just

a method for weight loss – regular exercise promotes health in every organ

of the body. If for a moment you could see exactly how your body functions,

and could see how exercise brings vibrant health to every cell, you would

never again look for an excuse not to get a move on!

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Chapter 8

Sleep – or the Lack Thereof

Generations ago, before electricity lit up the night, people went to bed

at dark. Today we stay up until the wee hours and the sleep that does come

is sporadic. Seldom is it deep, nor is it or sufficient. We are a sleep-deprived

people. We have convinced ourselves that staying up late is no big deal. The

only problem is being a little tired the next day. Not so.

Failure to enter into REM sleep – or healthy dream sleep – will

eventually lead to a number of health problems. Two of the more common

effects of sleep deprivation are high blood pressure and a compromised

immune system. We also know that lack of sleep prevents the body from

handling stress well. Add to that the fact that stress adversely affects the

quality of sleep. It’s a vicious cycle.

A person who is serious about achieving a high level of optimum health

will take the necessary steps to ensure a good night’s sleep. Below are a few

good tips:

Keep personal evening time free of demanding commitments

Steer clear of highly-charged discussions just before bedtime

Save strenuous exercise for earlier in the day; use the evening to

wind down

No caffeine in the evening hours

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If the evening news upsets you, turn it off; listen to soothing music

instead

Sleep in a room that is dark and quiet (Use a face mask if

necessary to ensure darkness)

Soak in a hot tub twenty minutes before going to bed (Epsom salts

or your favorite oils can be added)

When a person understands how health-giving sleep can be and takes

the steps to achieve healthy sleep, it changes their whole outlook. Mood is

elevated; a sense of well being is promoted; the healthy immune system

fights off colds and flu; productivity increases. Once you move into a healthy

sleep pattern, you will be more than willing to engage in a work-based

wellness program.

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Chapter 9

Add an Hour to Your Day

Everyone is in a hurry. Everyone’s schedules are jam-packed full.

Everyone says they simply don’t have time to do the things they would love

to do. Why is that? Usually it’s because we fail to set priorities. We let things

happen rather than make things happen.

One of the easiest and simplest ways to find extra time and to get

more tasks accomplished is to begin getting up an hour earlier. In Chapter 8

the importance of a good night’s sleep was discussed. Once you have moved

into healthy sleep patterns, you will find it’s not so difficult to become an

eager early-riser.

Start slow. Begin by setting the alarm just 15 minutes earlier for

several days. Then add another 15 minutes. Go at your own pace but be

sure to keep it consistent. Soon you will have that extra hour that you need.

Many people will admit what one of their biggest stressors of the day is

rushing around every morning trying to get ready and off to work. If there

are children and a spouse involved the problem is compounded. Getting up

earlier is the solution to eliminating this stressor. You will arrive at your work

place not only rested but stress-free and clear-headed, ready to tackle the

tasks of the day.

Getting up earlier also gives needed time for a nutritious breakfast. If

this is the meal that you normally skip you can change that unproductive

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habit. As you begin to devote time to eating breakfast, you will find your

energy levels continually increasing because you correctly fueled your body

before you started your day.

The idea isn’t to get up early simply for the sake of getting up early.

Approach this change with a strong sense of purpose. What definable tasks

can be accomplished in that one extra hour? Work on your goals chart?

Brainstorm for a project you’re working on? Exercise? Meditate? Read a

motivational book? This should be something that is exciting to you and will

spur you with even more motivation.

As with starting anything new, it may be difficult at the outset. As soon

as you hear the alarm, don’t give yourself a moment to argue or rationalize.

Get right up. Most people who adopt this lifestyle change are quickly sold on

it. After a month or two you will look back and be amazed at what all you

were able to accomplish.

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Chapter 10

The Great Exchange

Exercise is not the only component to a healthy lifestyle. If you are not

eating correctly, you are wasting all the good things that exercise does for

you. Controlling your calorie intake can help you lose one to two pounds a

week. For those who want to use diet as their main tool for weight loss, it

takes a reduction of 3500 calories to lose one pound. To make things easier

on yourself, start modifying your diet in small steps, or as is described in this

chapter make the great exchange. For instance, replacing one can of regular

soda with a fruit drink or water can lead to a net weight loss of fifteen

pounds in a year. Not to mention how the elimination of the excess sugar

will help your metabolism.

When it comes to nutrition, it’s an amazing paradox that in this land of

plenty we have malnourished people. Not because we don’t have enough

food, but because we are eating the wrong kinds of food. As mentioned in

Chapter 6, we ingest substances that contain little or no food value. As a

result chronic diseases are rampant in our nation.

Knowing this information is one thing; wanting to make changes in

food choices is yet another. Where does one start? How to begin? The best

way is called the great exchange. Begin by exchanging the bad for the good.

Some people read a book about health, or hear about the need to change

their diet, and so they go on a tangent by dumping all their soda pop, salty

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snacks, and sweet desserts all at once. Cold turkey, if you will. This seldom

works. The wise way is to go slow; rather than simply getting rid of a certain

item, be prepared to replace it with something healthy.

For instance one huge culprit in the diet of most Americans is bleached

white flour from which all of the nutrition stripped out. Little by little you can

exchange products in your pantry and refrigerator that are made of white

flour and trade them out for products made from whole grains.

Another health destroyer is refined white sugar, artificial sweeteners,

and items that are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). If you

aren’t sure about HFCS, read the labels. It will surprise you to see how many

processed foods contain this harmful substance. (Like a can of green beans,

for instance.) Systematically go through and cull these items out of your

kitchen and replace with healthy sweeteners such as organic cane sugar,

honey, blackstrap molasses, and maple syrup. (Interestingly enough, the

healthier your diet becomes, the less you will crave sugary snacks such as

candy bars, cake, pie, and cookies.)

Next inventory all the highly processed packaged foods that you have

on hand. Begin to cut back on purchasing these. Get creative with how you

can make quick meals from scratch using raw ingredients. Remember if it’s

made in your kitchen you know what’s in it. If it’s invented in a laboratory

and manufactured in a factory, you have no idea what is in it.

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Yet another good strategy is to shop the periphery of the grocery

store. This is where you find items that are closer to their original state (real

food, if you will). Opt for more real food to munch on as snacks, such as raw

fruit and vegetables, and nuts and seeds.

Much more could be discussed about the basics of good nutrition, but

if you begin with these simple exchanges you will be well on your way to

achieving a state of health and wellness.

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Conclusion

The ten best practices to create a culture of wellness are applicable

both in the workplace and in the personal lives of all employees. As you have

seen, these practices are highly productive, easy to implement, and affect

the entire company from management on down.

When a company offers a wellness program:

93% are more proactive in their health

84% say it improves teamwork

81% feel more positive about work

On the other hand, disengaged employees cost American employers

$370 billion annually in lost productivity. That’s $2.30 for every dollar spent

on health care costs and pharmacy bills.

Which is the wiser choice? When all of the advantages are fully

examined, it’s clear that the implementation of a workplace wellness

program is a win-win situation for the company, the management, the

employees, and even the community.

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