In a continuation of our theme on fitness and how it benefits employers and employees in terms of employee health, engagement, focus, reduced absenteeism and energy, here are some examples of blue chip corporates using wellness programmes:
 
Fitbit
30 of the Fortune 500 companies participate in Fitbit’s Wellness Programme
 
BP issued a ‘one million step’ challenge per annum to its employees.  Those that achieved the target qualified for additional company perks.
 
Houston Methodist (HM) is a well-known medical facility in the USA which issues a number of fitness challenges to its staff.  When those challenges are taken on, employees are offered reduced prices on Fitbits. 
 
Google offers staff free access to the following facilities that contribute to staff well-being – Nap Pods, Ping Pong Tables, swimming pool, mindfulness classes & massages
 
Motley Fool creates collaborative fitness challenges or themes for their staff and offer free spinning classes and boot camp to staff members as well as re-imbursement for the costs of weekend running races.
 
Earth Friendly Products champion the green world and offer access to their organic gardens for their employees.  Staff also swap clothes and household items to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’.
 
Zappos is a well-known online US retailer who offer free gym membership and fitness classes to their staff.  They stress to employees that making use of these initiatives is voluntary but strongly encouraged by senior management
 
Draper in the USA encourages staff to participate in fitness and weight-loss challenges.  They provide a 0.2 mile running track for staff as well as table tennis and workout stations
 
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 Written by : Brian Hewitt, Director of Hewitt Colenbrander Recruitment

In line with Hewitt Colenbrander’s own theme of “It’s About Fit”, here is some additional evidence which employers should give consideration to:

• Johnson & Johnson reckon wellness programs saved them R250 million over a decade
• American College of Sports Medicine found that workers who spent 30 – 60 minutes of lunchtime exercise, experienced a 15% boost in performance
• A 2011 study in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that 2.5 hours or more of exercise per week led to a significant decrease in absenteeism
• In SA, medical aid companies like Discovery and Momentum, spend millions on incentives for their members to exercise regularly

 
Next week we will post examples of what some companies actually do.  In the meantime, have a fun and fit long weekend!