In today’s company environment, the health of workers is often related to the health of the company. Increased job satisfaction, improved morale, reduced illness and injuries, and increased productivity are just some advantages of having healthy workers.
Promoting health in your workplace does not have to be complicated, expensive or time-consuming. Any organization, big or small, can promote healthful consuming and active living in the workplace. Here are some suggestions –
Healthy Eating
• for breakfast meetings, in lieu of serving donuts, large muffins, cookies, tea and coffee with cream and sugar, offer healthier alternatives such as bagels, small muffins, fresh fruit, water, 100 percent 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 employees for items purchased to improve their health (e.g. healthful eating cookbooks, consultation with a Registered Dietitian).
• Arrange for the cafeteria or food providers to offer healthy food choices.
• Arrange to have healthful choices like bottled water, 100 percent fruit juice, fruit bars, and raisins available in vending machines.
• Provide a means for people to share healthful 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 experts (e.g. personal trainers, fitness instructors) or incorporate this service in worker assistance programs to help staff members work towards exercise objectives.
• Give a supportive environment in the workplace that makes healthy choices easy – bicycle racks, shower facilities, clean, safe and accessible stairwells, walking or running routes around the workplace, and gym facilities.
• Allow for flex time so that employees have more opportunities to participate in fitness plans as part of their working day.
• Reimburse workers for full or partial club membership fees, fitness class registrations, and fitness equipment purchases.
• Give corporate fitness center 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 healthful consuming and active living.
• Invite demonstrators to provide cooking lessons or tips for making healthy foods.
• Post a rotating list in a common room of local restaurants that offer healthful food choices on their menus.
• Distribute information to educate workers on portion sizes.
• Include physical activity and nutrition information in newsletters, pay check inserts, bulletin boards or e-mails.
• Plan activities that promote healthy consuming and physical activity. for instance, start a year-round lunch-time walking club, and special activities
Corporate Wellness Companies