In today’s business environment, the health of workers is often related to the health of the business. Increased job satisfaction, improved morale, decreased disease and injuries, and increased productivity are just some of the benefits of having healthy workers.
Promoting health in your workplace does not have to be complicated, expensive or time-consuming. Any organization, large or small, can promote healthy consuming and active living in the workplace. Here are some suggestions –
Healthful Eating
• For breakfast meetings, instead of serving donuts, big muffins, cookies, tea and coffee with cream and sugar, offer healthier alternatives such as bagels, small muffins, fresh fruit, water, 100% fruit juice and milk with coffee and tea.
• For lunch meetings, avoid serving chips, fried foods, rich pastas, and salads loaded with dressing. Instead, offer sandwiches, bagels, whole grain low fat crackers and cheese, 100 percent fruit juice, water, salads with dressing on the side, vegetable and fruit trays.
• Reimburse staff members for items purchased to improve their health (e.g. healthful eating cookbooks, consultation with a Registered Dietitian).
• Arrange for the cafeteria or food vendors to offer healthful food choices.
• Arrange to have healthful options like bottled water, 100% fruit juice, fruit bars, and raisins available in vending machines.
• Give a means for people to share healthy recipes with each other (for example, posting recipes on the Intranet, on posters or by e-mail).
Active Living
• Plan events and group activities to encourage workers to become active, such as walking programs, contests and challenge events, stretch breaks, team sports or participation in local or provincial events.
• Offer onsite health professionals (e.g. fitness trainers, fitness instructors) or incorporate this service in staff member assistance programs to help staff members work towards physical activity goals.
• Provide a supportive environment in the workplace that makes healthy options easy – bike racks, shower facilities, clean, safe and accessible stairwells, walking or running routes nearby the workplace, and fitness club facilities.
• Allow for flex time so that staff members have more opportunities to participate in exercise plans as part of their working day.
• Reimburse staff members for full or partial club membership fees, fitness class registrations, and fitness equipment purchases.
• Provide corporate fitness club memberships to reduce costs of individual memberships.
Keeping It Fresh!
Find a champion to –
• Organize lunch “n learn sessions to provide information and motivation for healthy consuming and active living.
• Invite demonstrators to provide cooking lessons or tips for making healthful foods.
• Post a rotating list in a common room of local restaurants that offer healthy food choices on their menus.
• Distribute information to educate staff members on portion sizes.
• Include exercise and nutrition information in newsletters, pay check inserts, bulletin boards or e-mails.
• Plan activities that promote healthful eating and exercise. for instance, start a year-round lunch-time walking club, and special activities
Corporate Wellness Companies