Introduction to Wellness Programs Why Get Started HR Department goal to have healthy employees and families by promoting healthy life choices Investment in Company s most important resources Looking at ways to improve and sustain employee s daily health habits Employee s more likely to be attracted to, remain with, and appreciate an employer that values them 1
Why Get Started Improve the quality of life for all employees Effective tool in lowering health care costs and workers compensation costs healthier lifestyles reduces employees chance of illness/injury which means lower health plan utilization and fewer work related injuries Side benefit is reduced absenteeism How to Get Started If no or little budget for Health & Wellness start small Connect with local insurance carrier / broker office No cost / low cost ideas to start promoting H&W Set up brown bag lunch informational meetings Learning programs for employees Posted health notices Develop wellness plan Develop Health & Wellness Committee 2
How to Get Started Survey employees of needs and desires Establish Wellness Committee Mission Statement and Goals Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! APPA s Wellness Committee The responsibilities of the wellness committee include: Plan and implement wellness program Solicit input and feedback from co workers about the wellness program and consider feedback in planning future programs and events Attend and assist with wellness programs and events to learn and network with co workers Department representation 3
APPA s Wellness committee mission statement To promote general wellness of the APPA Staff. APPA s Wellness Program Goals: 1. Promote exercise, good nutrition and general wellness 2. Promote EAP program and mental wellness. 4
APPA s Wellness Program Goals: 3. Promote a collegial/relaxed and friendly work environment 4. Serve as resources for wellness information 5. Achieve the Washingtonian magazine s Great Place to Work designation in the next 2 3 years What We re Doing APPA MONTH TOPIC ACTIVITY/COMMUNIQUE NOTES JANUARY 2011 WellnessKick Off Kick Off: Healthy Breakfast Providepaper and pens and of Smoothies, cereal, yogurt and fruit, boiled eggs, etc. Smoothie King gift card seek wellness ideas eating and exercising tips and any activity ideas for Smoothie King gift card raffle February Heart Month March Nutrition Awareness Month April AHA National Start Walking Day 7th Preparation for Spring and Summer Food Safety Spring Walking Easy Exercise and eating tips Committee will offer a ½ hour seminar one afternoon 20 minute group walks with neighborhood maps Nick will share eating tips and the committee will decide on 2 3 videos to show Paul will coordinate Vendors will be asked for give aways Committee members will volunteer to draft maps of area 20 minute walks. May also volunteer to guide a group. 5
What We re Doing APPA May Stroke Awareness & Hypertension Awareness Month Occupational Safety and Health Overview of APPA s Safety Laura will coordinate a ½ training program hour seminar with OSHA s application at APPA Engineering gservices June Stress Management Tips for managing stress Sponsored seated massages July Travel Safety Seminar with travel and summer safety tips (CPR?) Cigna rep will be asked to conduct a seminar and provide give aways August Yogurt Social What We re Doing APPA September 3 rd Annual Pedometer Challenge Group walking competition (and kick off of Nov. Heart walk) Sharing of tips on how the challenge helped staff members October Flu Prevention Flu Clinic Hand Washing Demonstration NOVA, Willis and BCBS resources November AHA Heart Walk 5 th at Nationals Ball Park APPA Staff team Create APPA AHA Walk website and sign up walkers and fundraisers December Nutritious Food Drive 6
What We re Doing APPA APPA S WALKING PROGRAM CHALLENGE 3 rd annual Seated massages! Flu Clinic Neighborhood walking program What We re Doing BMU Smaller utility with very tight budget, dollars spent on H&W are done so as efficiently as possible Strive to make health information and learning resources readily available Pedometer challenge/program Subsidize local YMCA membership fees Healthier food options for meetings & snack area Weight loss challenge 7
What We re Doing BMU Hearing Screening Flu shots and flu prevention education Ensure drinking water is available to employees at all locations and job sites Family friendly flextime, etc. reduces employee stress. Encourage self examination Created and distributed local trail maps What We re Doing BMU Partnered with health insurance carrier Confidential health risk assessments Diabetes Management Smoking Cessation Cancer Screening Healthy y Eating Depression Screening Cholesterol Screening Weight Watchers 8
What We re Doing MEAG Created a mission statement/wellness Mascot Created sub committee s Weight Management Disease/ General Health Management Fitness Management Financial Management Communications/ Newsletter What We re Doing MEAG Smoking Cessation/ Smoke Free Campus Fitness Center Open House Weight Watchers Bowling League Health Fair Corporate Run/Walks Lunch & Learns Benefit Carrier Programs 9
What We re Doing PLWC Health & Wellness information center What We re Doing PLWC Voluntary company wide weight loss and fitness contests t held hldat various times throughout the year EAP service for employees and family Offer 10 12 free lunch & learn programs year Provide annual smoking cessation programs Annual flu shots for employees (spouses have to pay) 10
What We re Doing PLWC Annual health fair with free screening Full panel lipid profiles (cholesterol testing) Hematocrit & hemoglobin (anemia test) Blood glucose (blood sugar levels) PSA (prostrate screening for men) Blood pressure checks Lung function tests Free tetanus shots Vision and hearing screenings What We re Doing PLWC Introduced 10,000 step walking program and offered pedometers to employees at a discounted cost 4 walking routes around facility at various distances encourage employees to walk route at lunch or break times Negotiated City employee discount membership fee of $20 month for 24 hour Hospital Wellness Center 11
What We re Doing PLWC PLWC Fitness Challenge log in page What We re Doing PLWC PLWC Fitness Challenge Team Page lets us know where everyone on the team is as well as individual points 12
What We re Doing PLWC PLWC Fitness Challenge page used to log daily activities What We re Doing PLWC PLWC Fitness Challenge links to healthy tips and healthy recipes as well as other health related resources 13
What We re Doing PLWC Provide Health Club/Fitness program membership reimbursement tto employees and spouses $120 each per calendar year Promote the local year long run/walk series Connect participation in the wellness program with corporate and individual goals Successes Achieved The American Heart Association s Start! Fit Fi Friendly Companies Recognition Program Designed to be a catalyst for positive change in American business, the program recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees by creating creating physical activity programs within the workplace. 14
Successes Achieved Insurance premium increases have improved. PLWC Renewal rates have been under 10% without modifying benefits, with the exception of 2009. Health and Wellness issues are ever present and employees hold each other accountable for completing their goals. Great upper management involvement and support Employees are getting out and moving Greater morale Obstacles Faced Money! Keeping employees excited and engaged Staying within legal confinements Determining a concrete ROI Haven t been able to completely reach families and retirees Committee participation ebbs & flows Employee participation inconsistent Trying to have something for everybody Mixing up the activities and focus 15
Tips and suggestions for sustaining the program Keep spreading the word Communication is key!! Seek feedback and tweak program as appropriate Collaborate with organizations that promote health and wellness Recognition for program Competitions spark employee engagement Tips and suggestions for sustaining the program Committee driven program so employees truly have a say in what the program consists of H&W part of culture by making it part of the corporate goals tied to individual goals Ease into it and employees will expect to be held responsible for it Program lead with ihthe full support and participation ii i of General Manager/CEO Have senior management take place in some of the committee events 16
What are you doing? 17