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Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Johnson & Johnson has one. So does Chick Fil-A. Indeed, practically every company in America has an employee wellness program in place, but how many actually measure the program’s effectiveness? Fewer than one quarter, according to a recent study by Buck Consultants. According to the study, 77% of employers in the U.S. offer at least one program to keep employees healthy (think free gym memberships and incentives to stop smoking), but only 23% actually measure the outcomes of those programs.

That’s a mistake, say health-care consultants. “By knowing what types of programs work best, you’ll be able to see how to move the needle in terms of health-care premiums and other benefits of corporate wellness, like reduced absenteeism and increased productivity,” says David Atkinson, vice president of corporate wellness for Cooper Corporate Solutions, a firm which helps companies design programs to keep employees healthy. Make no mistake: There are real benefits to be had by setting up an employee wellness program, and appropriately rewarding employees for their participation. Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of yours, and rewarding employees appropriately for participating.

Tip 1: Design a Program
Companies that are looking to wellness programs to reduce insurance premiums and absenteeism need to design programs that can be more specifically tied to those goals, Atkinson says.

As an example, when Redstone Presbyterian Care, a health-care facility with more than 400 employees, was hit with a 44% increase in health-insurance premiums, it realized it needed to do something – fast. “We weren’t paying attention to what was going on around us,” says Jim Hodge, vice president of human resources. Specifically, employee obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure and other health risks were causing the company’s premiums to skyrocket.

Redstone initially responded with a variety of free fitness activities, like yoga and kickboxing classes, that employees could participate in. “We even offered ballroom dancing,” Hodge says.

Employees received points for completing every activity, and those points were redeemable for cash or merchandise, like fitness equipment. “What we learned was that people didn’t necessarily equate the fact that they were doing these programs for wellness,” Hodge says.

So Redstone adjusted its program; now, instead of simply participating in exercise classes, they also have to overcome several hurdles in order to participate in the company’s insurance program. Now, employees who want to be insured by Redstone must undergo a health-risk assessment, biometric screening and meet with a wellness coach three times annually. The result? “More of our employees are really paying attention to their wellness,” Hodge says. “Three employees have given up tobacco this year, and countless others have lost weight.”

The upshot? The company has saved more than $440,000 in insurance premiums, and has managed to hold annual insurance-premium increases to single digits. “We found that really educating people about their health works much better than simply throwing a bunch of programs at them,” Hodge adds.

Tip 2: Offer Incentives
Most employees won’t be eager to stop smoking or lose weight without a little nudge, say wellness experts. Indeed, 56% of companies in the U.S. offer incentives like gifts, merchandise, or reduced insurance costs, for participating in wellness programs. How to find the right incentives for your group?

That depends on how big of a change you’re asking employees to make, says Rich Allen, vice president of group benefits and risk analysis for Cooper Corporate Solutions. “If you’re looking at wellness as a fun thing for employees to do, small incentives such as logoed pedometers, yoga mats, T-shirts and athletic gear will do the trick,” Allen says. “If your objective is to change costs and risk factors for employees, you have to be much more aggressive in the incentives you offer.”

For example, companies covered by Cigna’s health plan can opt into a program that pays out bigger rewards, such as jewelry and electronics, for completing a series of health screenings or participating in a program to control their diabetes. Other companies reward employees for major lifestyle changes, such as a sustained drop in blood pressure, by reducing the amount they have to contribute to their health-care premiums. In a program Cooper created for NEI, a server company, employees who showed progress in health screenings would pay a discount on their health-care contributions. After participating in the program for four years, NEI had “almost completely eradicated high-risk blood pressure among its employees, and had a 50% reduction in employees with high-risk cholesterol,” Allen says. “That’s a pretty impressive result.”

Tip 3: Measure Results
Companies creating wellness programs to improve the work environment should be able to measure results by simply surveying the population. “Are employees having fun? Do they like what’s happening? Then good, you’re on the right track,” says Smytha Haley, a wellness consultant.

Those who want to track the effectiveness of the program on the bottom line should be prepared to wait about 18 months for a result, Haley says. For many firms, 18 months is the point at which workers’ bettering health begins to cancel out the cost of sponsoring and administering the corporate wellness program.

As a rule of thumb, the average cost to a business is about $3 to $5 per participating staff member per month. “Within three years of the launch you ought to be seeing meaningful savings,” Haley says.

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Durable Sustainable Drinkware

Sustainability has surpassed “trend” status in the promo industry – and it’s expected to grow into even more of an expectation for end-buyers eager for eco-friendly items to build their campaigns around. From recycled materials to responsible production, every category in promo has its sustainable solutions, including drinkware.

Wheat Himalayan tumbler

Recipients can take hot or cold drinks on the go in this 20 oz. Wheat Himalayan tumbler, which is BPA-free and has a unique flecked finish produced from plant-based materials. With a spill-resistant snap-on lid, it’s ideal for travel agencies or hospitality venues.

stadium cup

This classic 16 oz. stadium cup is ideal for tailgates, music festivals or alumni reunions – and will last beyond the event. It’s smooth-walled, dishwasher-safe, recyclable and made in the USA from BPA-free plastic.

silicone pint glass

Flexible, colorful and nearly indestructible, this 16 oz. silicone pint glass handles hot or cold drinks with ease. Safe for microwave, dishwasher and freezer use, and it won’t fade, crack or scratch. Well-suited for outdoor concerts or brewery tours.

Corkcicle tumbler

Triple-insulated and vacuum-sealed, this Corkcicle tumbler keeps drinks ice-cold for over nine hours – even in the sun – or hot for up to three. Features a stylish, spill-resistant lid with a sliding sip-through top. A sleek pick for golf tournaments or tech conferences.

Tritan water bottle

Blend style and sustainability with this 24 oz. Tritan water bottle. BPA-free, durable and available in multiple colors, it’s designed for hydration on the go and fits most cup holders. A smart choice for wellness programs or campus rec centers.

eco-tumbler

Offer a sustainable sip with this 16 oz. eco-tumbler, made from eco-friendly plastic sourced from 51% wheat straw. Features a matching lid and takes a silkscreen imprint. A thoughtful fit for green initiatives or farmers markets.

Spacious Backpacks

An essential in education, new hire gifting and outdoor adventures, these versatile branded bags are the ultimate companion on the go.

About a quarter of Americans work at least some hours remotely each week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For new hires starting in fully or partially work-from-home roles, it can be easy to feel disconnected from the rest of the company without a comprehensive onboarding process. A welcome kit – based around a work-branded backpack – is an ideal onboarding gift to help these and any new additions to a department build connections to the company and their coworkers.

Olympus cooler backpack

Holding up to 36 cans and made from easy-to-clean tarpaulin, this Olympus cooler backpack is ideal for camping trips, outdoor team-building retreats or construction sites. Features a heat-sealed PEVA liner to help prevent leaks.

Graphite Deluxe computer backpack

Perfect for work, school or travel, the Graphite Deluxe computer backpack holds up to a 15.6-inch laptop, plus has plenty of pockets for storing a tablet, pens, business cards, water bottles or other business essentials. Ideal for university orientation kits or new hires.

Acadia backpack cooler

Keep it cool with the 32-can capacity Acadia backpack cooler. Made from rPET and recycled foam, with an insulated PEVA lining, it’s a sustainable choice for sports team sidelines or outdoor adventures.

WorkSpace backpack tote

Made from recycled two-tone polyester and fitting most 15-inch computers, the WorkSpace backpack tote is a smart choice for employees on the go. Features a luggage pass-through, USB-A outlet and double grab handles.

Mercury backpack

With space to fit a large 17-inch laptop, the Mercury backpack is ideal for commuting tech employees or onboarding kits. Made from durable ripstop and 600D polyester, with a colorful interior lining, and including padded, vented shoulder straps for comfort and airflow.

specialized carry-all backpack

Embrace the pickleball trend with this specialized carry-all backpack, with room for two paddles in the main pocket and any needed accessories in the front or side pockets. A great fit for community rec center tournaments or local sports league promotions.

Nifty Notebooks & Journals

Branded notebooks and journals are an essential product for colleges, universities, elementary and high schools, as students and teachers alike tackle to-do lists, class notes and lesson planning while promoting their educational institutions.

Comfort Touch hardbound journal

Capture your thoughts in this 5” x 7” Comfort Touch hardbound journal, including 80 lined sheets and a durable PVC cover in various colors. Features an elastic band closure and ribbon bookmark. Perfect for school events.

PedovaTM Soft Bound Journal

With an Italian UltraHyde cover, 80 sheets of lined paper and interior document pocket, this PedovaTM Soft Bound Journal is ideal for professional workshops or training sessions. Made from a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials and/or FSC-controlled wood, it also features a built-in elastic band and page marker.

eco magnetic notebook set

Stay organized in a sustainable way with this eco magnetic notebook set featuring a lined spiral notebook, a matching paper barrel pen, sticky flags and sticky notes in two sizes. A great new hire gift or item for office supply stock.

Mercury notebook set

Ideal for tech conferences or education events, this Mercury notebook set includes a 70-page spiral bound notebook and a matching stylus pen that attaches via an elastic pen strap. Available in a variety of metallic textured cover colors.

Leeman refillable journal

This Leeman refillable journal features a soft faux leather cover, pen loop and elastic closure. Includes approximately 80 lined sheets of 80 g cream paper that can be replaced with fresh 5.8” x 8.3” notebook paper. Ideal for executive meetings

Amherst journal

The Amherst journal features 80 5” x 7” pages and makes for a great promotional giveaway at trade shows or corporate events. The leatherette cover is available in six classic colors and also includes an elastic band for security.

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Three Tips for a Healthier Workplace

Durable Sustainable Drinkware

Spacious Backpacks

Nifty Notebooks & Journals

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