Want to promote employee fitness as a way of life? Try these tips.
DO promote physical activity norms − and how people can achieve what they need to do.
DO encourage fitness goal-setting; make it a corporate activity.
DO use the power of planning and commitment to the plan.
DO promote physical activity in your organization; schedule daily movement.
DO encourage the development of walking clubs.
DO capture and share success stories.
DO make simple environmental modifications in the workplace; make sure employees feel safe when taking the stairs or walking longer distances to cars.
DO be an ambassador for physical activity.
DON’T use trends and statistics on the present physical activity habits of Americans – the majority of people in the U.S. are not physically active; it is not a model to promote.
David Hunnicutt, “The Power of Physical Activity Changes Lives and Transforms Culture,” Wellness Council of America, September 2010.
Employer focus
Creating a culture of health
(first in a series)
Clearly, wellness programs can help offset the cost of unhealthy lifestyles and resulting chronic conditions. But are they the magic bullet for creating a culture of health in your organization? With health care costs still on the rise, and chronic conditions remaining prevalent, standalone programs may not be enough. The solution is something new, yet strikingly familiar – a return to the basics.
What is “culture” anyway?
Culture refers to the social forces that shape behavior and beliefs through mechanisms such as norms, support, modeling, training, rewards and communications. “Culture is about changing or establishing behaviors, rather than simply talking about them,” explains Jennifer Bruno, senior director of wellness and prevention at Johnson & Johnson’s global health services.
Culture is shared, pervasive and ingrained. It includes values, rituals, morals and traditions. Most organizations live, breathe and sustain themselves by their culture. Yet, a culture that is good for the health of the organization may not always guarantee the health of its employees.
Wellness programs alone typically cannot create a corporate or personal culture of health and well-being. Improving and sustaining employee health is not a program which comes and goes. Rather, it’s a mindset and a commitment that will stand the test of time. That’s not to say specific, targeted health promotion programs are not working. To foster permanent change, however, employers will need to look beyond wellness programs to actions that shape behavior and beliefs about health.
Back to the basics: eat right, exercise more
Beyond health risk assessments, health coaching and countless online resources, employers need to return to promoting the fundamentals of sound nutrition and physical activity. The basics of eating right and getting regular exercise never go out of style.
Ann G. Kulze, M.D., an authority on nutrition, says, “Just by eating certain foods, you can radically reduce your chances of becoming ill, while [at the same time] transforming your overall health and well-being.” Employers who take a powerful statement like Dr. Kulze’s to heart provide resources to help employees better understand how to eat right. They offer healthy choices in the corporate cafeteria and vending machines, substitute fruit and high-fiber snacks for sugary treats at company meetings, promote seminars on making good food choices – perhaps even have a consulting nutritionist on staff.
“A sound nutritional strategy is a journey to good health,” explains Dr. Kulze. She backs up her statement with information in her book Eat Right for Life that covers new “old” topics such as:
- Do your fats and carbs right
- Eat your fruit and veggies
- Select the right proteins
- Drink the right beverages
Get off the couch (and your office chair!)
Physical activity is the other half of the back to basics equation. Simply stressing the need for regular physical activity in and out of the workplace isn’t enough. “There has to be a value proposition for people to engage in physical activity.” says Dr. Steven Aldana.
But how can employers promote the benefits of physical activity in a way that offers employees something of value? Here’s an example: Employees at CDS Global’s print facility in Wilton, Iowa are encouraged to take regular movement breaks throughout the day. The exercises these operators perform − right at their machines − are tailored to the specific muscle groups affected by their work routines.
Is becoming a corporate cheerleader for fitness worth the effort? “If you could take the power of physical activity and sell it as a pill,” says Aldana, “it would be the single most effective medication ever devised in the history of mankind.”
We offer health and wellness services in conjunction with our group life insurance plans. For pricing and more information, contact your client relationship advisor or regional group sales manager. Watch for future articles in the culture of health series addressing self-care and social support.
Health and wellness services are provided by Ceridian LifeWorks and are their sole responsibility. The services are not affiliated with Minnesota Life, Securian Life or their group contracts and may be discontinued at any time.
Sources:
Aldana, Steven, WELCOA’s News and Views, 2010; Consumerism 360: “Better Engaging Employees in Their Career, Health, and Wealth Decisions,” 2009.
Aldana, Steven, “How to Design a Worksite Physical Activity Program that Improves Health and Contains Cost,” Wellness Council of America, September 2010.
Employee Benefit News, “Blinding them with Science: Company Culture is a Business Driver with Metrics to Support its Impact,” January 2011.
Health Enhancement Systems, “Achieving a Culture of Health, the Business Case,” 2008.
Kulze, Ann G, “Eat Right for Life,” Wellness Council of America, 2010.
