Connections - January 2009 - (Page 25) done correctly,” said Clark. “You can do too much or two little. Prizes should be there to make it fun but they can’t be the sole reward for being healthier. It should stir participation; it shouldn’t be the only reason people are doing it. Things like 10 percent savings on employee contributions or gym reimbursements support the idea without spoiling employees.” • Just a few swaps in the old vending machine can also help reinforce the idea. Cereal bars, trail mix, and oatmeal in lieu of frosted pastries, candy bars and potato chips will keep workers satiated without packing on the pounds. • Clark recommends contacting an insurance broker with a wellness consultant on staff or linking up with a wellness consultant through a local hospital to begin the program. Employers’ ROI Clark said by implementing wellness programs, companies can have a $3 ROI on a $1 invested within three years. Here is a snapshot of the results other companies have garnered. • Studies at Dupont and General Mills found 14 percent – 19 percent reductions in absenteeism. • Dupont saw a total of 11,726 fewer net disability days. • General Electric reports a 45 percent decrease in absenteeism. • Bank of America saw an average $5.96 return on money invested and, • PacBell received a $3.10 return while the Wisconsin School District Insurance Group had a $4.47 return on investment. So in the season of resolutions, remember wellness programs offer immediate and long-term rewards—from healthy lifestyles, reduced absenteeism and a solid ROI—for everyone. This might be the one resolution you become determined to keep. ■ LOCAL PERSPECTIVE THE HEALTH ADVOCATE GENE MCGUIRE Gene McGuire, chief marketing officer at Wellness Coaches USA, has witnessed the impact wellness programs can make on someone’s life. He knows of an instance where a man’s blood pressure was so high that a wellness coach prompted him to go to the doctor’s office immediately. It turns out this gentleman had multiple blockages and had to go in for surgery right away. How McGuire advises implementing a wellness program: Get at least 90 percent of the population on board by calling a wellness coach into the workplace. Set up a place where employees can speak with the coach in a confidential setting. January 2009 | Connections | 25 http://www.forbes.com/2005/10/05/vending-foods-health-cx_sy_1006feat_ls.html http://www.wellnesscoachesusa.com/ http://www.wellnesscoachesusa.com/ http://www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/0608/0608wells.asp
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.