P R E S E N TAT I O N BY K RY S TA L E W I S

WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN THE WORKPLACE

WHY THIS TOPIC?

• I chose this topic because I think there is nothing more important then helping our society become healthier and this is a great place to start. With the knowledge I’ve gained in this experience I hope to educate current businesses and incorporate a wellness program in my future company!

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

• Wellness programs in the workplace are extremely important because they provide employees with way to better their health. Many companies see significant improvements in the wellness of their employees and their performance.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield developed a wellness program and after following employees data for a year, it was evident that their were significant decreases in the amount of smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight. (Walker, 2009).

THESIS

• Companies would have healthier, happier, and better performing employees if there was an effective wellness program implemented at the workplace. All aspects of their wellbeing would be improved.

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PART 1: NUTRITION

-MOST important factor to health

-Companies should hire companies like Sodexo to prepare and serve healthy meals daily (which have the proper amounts of protein, vegetables, legumes, and carbs)

-Sodexo works hard to educate the employees on the choices they are making in addition to serving it

-Sodexo offers all natural dishes that are under 500 calories. “All dishes contain 500 calories or less; all products are locally sourced; all food products are made from scratch; all proteins are all-natural, hormone free and purchased responsibly for sustainability” (“Wellness in the Workplace”, 2014). Photo credit: ccseniorservices.org

PART 2: FITNESS

• Exercise is crucial to one’s health and can prevent many issues in the future. “People who do regular activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers. Research shows that physical activity also boosts self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, performance, and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s diseases” (“The benefits of exercise”, 2015).

• This would be beneficial to a company because it would produce better work performance from employees and lower the costs associated with absenteeism and medical costs. (Walker, 2015).

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PART 2: FITNESS

What to include in a fitness facility:• Treadmills • Stationary bikes• Free weights• Stretching Mats• Elliptical• Televisions or music for

entertainment (optional) This covers the main basis of what employees would want to use when working out

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PART 3: MENTAL WELLNESS

• The basic mental health needs in the workplace are:“Respect, appreciation, feeling heard, freedom to speak up, sense of confidence and self work, freedom from anger or hostility, sense of belonging to a supportive and meaningful group, and periods of relative calm and peace of mind “(Chiu, 2001).

• Having an on-site life coach or counselor could help employees workout some of their issues and find peace and purpose in the workplace. Photo credit: spiritualage.org

PART 4: WELLNESS ASSESSMENTS

• Wellness assessments are a crucial aspect of workplace programs because it allows employees to see where they are currently at and make attainable goals for the future.

• Hiring an athletic trainer is an excellent idea considering they not only can give wellness assessments, but they can help employees done in on specific areas they want to work on and avoid injury. “Trainers provide a positive return on investment of about $3 for each dollar spent and reduced the risk of all work related injuries by at least 25%” (Tyler, 2008). Photo credit: bls.gov

PART 5: SOCIAL OUTINGS

• Events outside the workplace are very important to employee wellness because it allows bonding and relating beyond work issues. This is the perfect opportunity for companies to engage in health related activities such as hiking, yoga, Ayurveda and other healing workshops, and more. These events would promote mental, physical and spiritual wellness.

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COMPANIES WITH SUCCESSFUL WELLNESS PROGRAMS

• The most well known of all wellness programs in the world is the one that Google has at their headquarters in California. They have set the standard VERY high for what companies should provide for their employees. Google has nutritious food opinions and a café on every floor, nap pods, beautiful fitness facilities ,an outdoor track and more. Google has no restrictions on when you can use any of these things as long as there is work getting done! (“Google perks”, 2007)

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LENS 1: TECHNOLOGY

• Wellness programs relate directly to technology because devices and apps work as great motivational tools. Technology allows wellness support to continue beyond the workplace. (Dick, 2010).

Benefits include:• Creation of a company app• Feature employee achievements• Set goals (personal and as a company)• Calendar of upcoming events (hiking,

workshops etc.)• Contests or challenges against

employees

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LENS 2: PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY

• Philosophy and spirituality are very important aspects of workplace wellness because it involves people finding their passions and doing what they love, along with realizing how much work plays a vital role in life. Everyone should have their own philosophy of what they live by and how they want to live.

• The best way to help employees achieve this is by hiring a life coach or someone to help guide people to finding their passions at work and having something to live for. Being happy at one’s job, where they spend a good chunk of their life, is a crucial aspect of wellness. (Cashwell, 2007). Photo credit: polkadotsquotes.com

LENS 3: ENVIRONMENT

• Environmental factors are one of the most important lens to incorporate because without policy change people won’t be likely to engage in a wellness program. Types of policy changes would be:

• Allowing meetings to be outside and still be considered productive

• No smoking inside the business offices• Exercising allowed during 1 hour work

break • Healthy food options available in vending

machines• Signs with daily meals and why it is

healthy in the cafe Photo credit: yorklibraries.org

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES ON WELLNESS

• Cultural and social attitudes can make it both easier and more difficult to achieve wellness across one’s lifespan depending on the viewpoints. Therefore, the goal is that by implementing wellness programs in the workplace it will promote a healthier lifestyle which will be continued and spread. The hope is that the more programs that are available, the more people will focus on their wellbeing and the less obesity and weight issues we will see in America.

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CONCLUSION

• Implementing change isn’t easy and not every individual in a workplace will be for a wellness

program. However, everything takes baby steps and if companies truly pushed better employee health it would eventually effect our society for the better. Companies will have lower absenteeism, better

performance, and a more optimistic environment. “Studies show that 80% of companies want to

incorporate wellness programs in their businesses” (Walker, 2009). So let’s start a movement!

LET’S START A MOVEMENT

RESOURCES

• Cashwell, C. (2007). Spirituality and counselor wellness. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 46(1), 66-81. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.

• Chiu, A. (2001). Beyond physical wellness: Mental health issues in the workplace. Canadian HR Reporter, 14(4), 4. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.

• Dick, E. (2010). Technology drives wellness programs. Canadian HR Reporter, 23(15), 20-20,30. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.

• Google perks. (2007). Corporate Meetings & incentives, 26(6), 29. • The benefits of exercise. (2015, Feb 22). The Western Morning News.

Retrieved on April 18, 2015. • Tyler, K. (2008). Athletic trainer’s workplace remedies.

HRMagazine, 53(12), 35-38. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.• Walker, T. (2009). Workplace wellness. Managed Healthcare

Executive, 19(2), 16-18. Retrieved on April 18, 2015. • Wellness in the workplace. (2014). Nation’s Restaurant News,

Retrieved on April 18, 2015.

THANK YOU!ANY QUESTIONS?