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Small Corporations Need Healthy Employees Too

More Corporations determined to get a handle on health insurance costs tackle the issue head on, at the front door, by providing health-fitness programs to their workforce. What about smaller companies with limited budgets?

Sacramento, CA September 1, 2004 -- Large companies providing corporate fitness programs still report positive outcomes across the U.S. such as Motorola, Travelers, Coors Brewing, and General Mills with 150-650% ROIs. So where are opportunities for small-to-medium Corporations who need to lower healthcare costs?

Many businesses do not have funds for long-term contract organizations providing employee wellness-fitness programs. Spare buildings for onsite gyms are not necessarily "handy" for every company either.

Gwenn Jones, manager of http://www.baybridgecentral.com/corporate-wellness-prog.html [Bay Bridge Fitness] in California, suggests numerous low-cost options for small-to-medium companies to consider for starting corporate wellness:

1) Small, neighboring businesses could develop co-op space with shared costs, and pull in a qualified fitness trainer once a week or once a month. (Insurance liability issues need to be reviewed.)

2) Some local health clubs who offer corporate-employee discounts now partner with major health insurance providers. Those providers have even included 8 or 10 free personal training sessions. This is a key incentive since often new participants, who are coach-less, quit their fitness and nutrition program within the first three weeks.

3) A good start is some education and awareness literature – this is a minimal cost. One Alabama-based company, Oakstone Wellness, publishes useful health literature that is realistic and simple.

4) Often trainers or fitness program coordinators will reduce their rates just to promote a fitness program, and ensure employees work out safely and effectively. This aids their progression and education, induces adherence, and shows management participation and support. (A seasoned trainer realizes the benefits of that belt notch.)

5) Invite a speaker in to address a topic-of-the-month like, "Heart-healthy eating." Develop and promote an appropriate title giving employees motivation to attend, for example: "Heart-healthy eating and how it conquers weight gain." In addition, never have a speaker who passes out nothing. Ensure there is a relative article, some statistics, or a newsletter, with contact info included for employees to take away. Something informal is best.

6) Certified fitness trainers can also come in for a blood-pressure fair – which involves a simple setup in a conference room. Most employees are unaware of their own blood pressure and how it increases with weight gain.

7) How about a workout floor with a video tape library of exercise tapes for cardio and strength workouts? Add a dumbbell rack and some floor mats. This is all minimal expense.

8) A December 27, 2002 article from the St. Louis Business Journal offers several other economical ideas on utilizing community health resources (entitled: Fitness in the workplace boosts productivity, morale).

The foremost strategies for a winning fitness program are known: Management support, employee participation, good program design and follow-up evaluations. Smaller corporations are capable of this commitment starting with one of the above suggestions.

Employee-investing has become sound policy for Corporations in regard to attractive employee benefits, increased profits, and employee retention. Reducing the risks of developing conditions such as diabetes, stroke or cardiac disease associated with overweight is just smart practice.

"All businesses small or large need a healthier workforce and the majority of employees are showing enthusiasm for reliable health guidance. Shore up the front door instead of layering on costly bandages later. It pays to ask around in the health-fitness industry – get on the phone, the internet, read articles, ask associates," Jones says. "The responses might surprise you."