Make Healthy Living a Team Effort
I once worked at a place that I will call Company X. A few years after I resigned, Company X began encouraging employees to take on their health. The company provided the option of health insurance, but also wanted their workers to take other steps. They could stop smoking, track how much they exercised, or create meal plans, and then be rewarded. Yup, Company X would reward their employees for taking care of their bodies. Sometimes it was a pizza party for everyone who walked a mile that month. Sometimes it was a prize like an iPod or a gift card. Sometimes it was a t-shirt proclaiming the employee’s accomplishment. Plenty of employees participated, giving it their all in getting healthy. They would talk about it in the break room, comparing notes and seeing who had met their goals and who could use some support. After six months, Company X ended the program. Some of the employees kept up with habits that they had built. Unfortunately, many went back to their previous behaviors. They no longer had incentive – or even acknowledgement.
Simple, Easy, Beneficial
Not nearly enough employers make an effort to encourage their employees to get and stay healthy. It really can be as simple as providing branded marked water bottles so that people can fill up and see how much they have had throughout the day.
This isn’t just about them, either. The healthier your employees are, the less time they miss work. The less time they miss work, the more productive they are. The more productive they are, the more money you make. It really is a win-win for everyone!
There are so many ways that you can show your support to those who are trying to live healthier lives. For the next three months, see what you can do to help your employees get on the right track. Ask around. They are the best ones to ask for ideas on how you can better help them. Once you get them started, check in and see what they need to continue toward their health goals. Show that you care, and help foster an environment of seeing employees as people. They will appreciate you for it.
