Earlier this year, First American in Balance was launched to find ways to promote wellness throughout the office and integrate it into employee’s lifestyles. Having the ability to focus on health while working improves employee morale, relieves stress, and builds camaraderie among colleagues. Here are a few popular programs First American employees are participating in:
• Standing desks – Sitting at a desk all day can be tiring. First American has given all employees the option to have a standing desk, and the majority of employees currently use them. The standing desks help increase blood flow and muscle movement, and reduces risks of back pain, weight gain, and high blood pressure.
• Yoga on Tuesdays – During a hectic work week, it’s a good idea to take a short break to relax. Yoga is available for all employees on Tuesday at 5:30pm, right in the First American cafeteria. It’s a great way to increase flexibility, improve muscle strength, and release tension.
• The Biggest Loser – Thirty-seven First American employees focused on weight loss and healthy eating are participating in a Biggest Loser contest. They meet weekly to provide motivation and encouragement for each other as they compete in this friendly and fun challenge.
• Healthy lunch options – Four restaurants options are available for First American employees to order a lunch and have it delivered to the office any day of the week. Healthy meal choices include salads, wraps, and bowls, and a paperless, cash free payment system is used by deducting the cost right from the employee’s paycheck. First American also stocks vending machines with healthy choices such as hummus, wraps, and yogurt.
• Free gym, ski, golf, and swim passes – To have some fun exercising outside the office, free gym, ski, golf, and swim passes are available to employees and their families. For the gym and swim passes, employees can just show up at the off-site locations, and ski and golf passes can be reserved in advance using a company shared calendar.
• Employee sports teams – First American employees also demonstrate teamwork outside of the office with company sponsored sports teams. There are currently two softball teams, and a volleyball, golf and basketball team.
The AHA acknowledges that companies are putting wellness as a top priority. In their Focus on Wellness update, they describe how healthy workplaces can also benefit the employer. “Healthy individuals have lower health care costs, less absenteeism, less disability and increased productivity. Employers are taking a variety of approaches to promoting better health. These include onsite clinics, health promotion and wellness programs, and the structure of health insurance benefits. Approximately 90 percent of all employers in the U.S. with 50 or more employees say they have some form of health promotion program.”
To get started at your healthcare organization, the American Hospital Association gives 7 recommendations to make wellness a focus in the report – Creating a Culture of Health. Additionally, they give insight on how your organization can meet each specific goal.
7 AHA Recommendations to Make Wellness a Focus at Your Organization:
1. Serve as a Role Model of Health for the Community
2. Create a Culture of Healthy Living
3. Provide a Variety of Program Offerings
4. Provide Positive and Negative Incentives
5. Track Participation and Outcomes
6. Measure for ROI
7. Focus on Sustainability
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