Small firms can encourage worker health

Editor’s Note: Following is the fifth in a 12-part series from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Move & Improve is an outreach program of EMMC’s Community Wellness Service, promoting healthful lifestyles for Maine people.

Have you ever wondered how to get healthy and productive employees who are satisfied with their jobs? Have you thought about creating a work environment that helps to attract and retain good employees? For businesses large and small across Maine, finding the answers to these questions is a key to success. Surprisingly, the answers may be right under your feet.

Traditional work site health programs, typically found at large corporations with equally large budgets, have used a variety of strategies in attempting to lower health care costs and improve productivity. The most comprehensive programs – which include screenings, a fitness center, disease and risk management programs, and health education classes – have produced a significant return on investment. While their results demonstrate that employee health promotion works, the vast majority of businesses in Maine simply cannot afford such an investment.

But they may get the same successful results without the cost. An exciting new approach to work site health promotion now has leveled the playing field. This approach is centered on the physical work environment and the policies that guide behavior. Specifically, we’re talking about behaviors such as physical activity, eating habits and tobacco use. For example, it is well-known that people who are more active can stay focused for longer periods of time, are less prone to accidents caused by fatigue and are less affected by mood swings. All of these things can help boost productivity.

By making some simple changes to the work environment, you can improve worker health, no matter what your size. For example, establishing an employee wellness committee is a low-cost strategy that works. An effective committee is vital to the success of a developing and growing wellness program. Select members who represent diversity within the company.

Try some of the following ideas that other Maine companies already are using:

. Create an honor system fruit basket: With less than $25 startup costs, volunteers can purchase and replenish a basket of bananas, oranges, apples, pears and plums (or other healthful foods). Items can be priced to break even, creating a self-funded, sustainable change.

. Consider offering fruit and other healthful alternatives at staff meetings instead of pastries.

. Set a healthful employee performance objective: Incorporate into your business policy that managers will be evaluated based on how well they support employees in pursuing healthful behavior.

. Create an indoor fitness trail: In the stairwell or hallway, try something like this: Go to station 1, do 30 seconds of easy marching in place; station 2, do 15 toe raises; station 3 for side-leg raises; station 4 for arm-circles, and so-on.

. Create a wellness library and provide walking map routes to encourage physical activity during employee breaks.

. Participate in Move and Improve.

Much can be done with little, especially if resources and efforts are directed toward creating an environment within the organization that supports and encourages good health practices. Some simple changes really can influence your bottom line.

Be the best that you can be, eat well, be active, stay young and enjoy moving to improve.

Andy Spaulding is a work site health coordinator for the Maine Cardiovascular Health Program and a member of the Move & Improve Coalition. For information, contact Elanna Farnham, Move & Improve coordinator, at 973-7245 or efarnham@emh.org.