Fit For Life: Get a Better Bottom…Line

Saturday, April 25, 2015
Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health +Lifestyle Contributor

Matt Espeut

It’s springtime and people who are cooped up in offices can be seen with their suit and sneakers at lunchtime, or, if they’re really lucky, in the company gym. If there’s time they can sneak out to go to their own gym and rush back. Companies are also realizing that fitness of their employees reducing their spiraling healthcare costs. So, it makes good business sense to help your employees stay well. That really doesn’t mean taking a leisurely stroll around the block, then having that pizza delivery for lunch. Want to have a healthy workforce?  Have a healthier workplace!  Here’s some tips on how to do just that. 

It starts at the top

For wellness campaigns to be successful in the workplace, the commitment, and participation from company leadership goes a long way to long term acceptance by employees. Leading by example is key – from the top, down. Preferably the CEO will want to show her/his buy-in by participating in activities, issuing incentives, and providing recognition, too.  

Healthy food zone

When you walk into work in the morning, do you see doughnuts and muffins in the break room?  Maybe some left over pizza from the quick meeting of yesterday?  If you have vending machines, take an inventory – what is being offered?  (Hint: fat filled granola bars and yogurt with high sugar content is not healthy). Most vending companies offer healthy alternatives – so, take a look, make requests to management, and watch those healthy changes happen. How about a purified water source?  That can be a water filter or a free standing supplier.  Get rid of the soda and juice machines. I believe banning foods can create a backlash of defiance; so lead with the carrot (pun intended), not the stick.

Fitness programs

Next, is there a room where you can exercise?  You can recruit someone to lead classes on a regular basis. Even popping in an exercise or yoga tape is better than nothing.  If you can’t workout during work hours, then build some hoopla about meeting right after work.  Of course, the ideal that I’d like to see is employees who get help with their membership to a gym – like Providence Fit Body Boot Camp. Employees consistently say, when surveyed, that their pay is not the #1 thing that makes them happy at work – it’s often how the company values them with extras such as a fitness opportunity. Bring it up at employee benefit time. Or, talk to your company’s health insurer to see if partial compensation is available for gym memberships. 

Incentives and Recognition

If you can’t pay part of employees’ fitness programs, offer incentives for accomplishments – a cash incentive, a parking place, gift certificates for local businesses, and don’t forget that important recognition before fellow employees. Wellness campaigns help employees jump start their own fitness and health programs – and they also help employers have strong, cohesive, and happy teams of employees. Make it fun!  You’ll reap the rewards.

Let’s Review.

Encouraging wellness is good business. You will have a happier workforce. You may be able to reduce absenteeism and save on health insurance. Your employees will be stronger and less likely to suffer injuries – from moving a heavy box or desk to actual physical labor jobs. Your employees will value this and you will be able to retain good employees. One of the most costly things for a company is hiring and retraining.  While focusing on exercise, first, don’t forget that 80% of any wellness program is the food you eat. By starting to make your company a healthy environment, it will show to others when you have meetings and visitors. Working as a team at work means you will be a better team – at work. Everyone gets to be part of the team – young and older employee.  Group events like this also help to eliminate those troublesome cliques at work. Finally, the concept of doing well by doing good is real. Your company will be more successful.  While that’s not a promise, it is something I see all the time.  Successful workplace health programs have shown us what is possible – we just need to dig deeper as employers and make it happen. Need help?  Give me a call. Your bottom line could look a whole lot better.

Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one!"