Workplace wellness programs: health, massage or coaching?
Workplace wellness programs — Organizing fitness classes a few floors down from your office can be done! Faced with the growing preoccupation of Canadians with health and wellness, many companies are making exercise rooms available to their employees right on the premises. Inciting employees to exercise could decrease workplace stress and hence associated fees for businesses. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian companies lose $12 billion annually because of stress (decreased productivity, sick leave, turnover, health care expenses, etc.) Does helping employees stay in shape save companies money? Introducing workplace wellness programs might be the answer.
Many companies specializing in wellness have been founded with the increasing popularity of exercising at work. Tri Fit, one of the oldest, has been in business for 30 years and targets mainly Ontario companies with 75 to 65,000 employees including Microsoft, IBM, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Johnson & Johnson, Campbell’s and STAPLES Business Depot. Tri Fit president Veronica Marsden founded the company in the late 1970s following a federal government study on workplace health and fitness in which she was involved. “After that, I developed a program to improve the workplace environment for employees, with the goal of decreasing the absenteeism rate, sick leave, etc.,” says Ms. Marsden.
Companies such as Tri Fit set up corporate health and fitness programs. “We provide services such as fitness facility design for companies,” explains Veronica Marsden. Kinesthesiologists then conduct on-site exercise sessions (fitness, step, stretching) and provide tailored nutrition advice. “These health care educators teach their patients various techniques to increase their physical and accordingly their mental well-being.” Tri Fit also organizes wellness theme weeks and prevention campaigns.
“There are many benefits,” assures Veronica Marsden. “Employers often note a decease in absenteeism, health care costs, insurance premiums, and injuries in employees who have chosen to follow the program.” Employees, for their part, say they feel better, have more energy, have lost weight and feel happier about coming to work. This activity also promotes teamwork and a sense of community, since it allows mingling with other departments.
This type of service is also an additional argument for attracting and retaining employees. According to Ms. Marsden, “After a while, managers often notice that their employees are happier at work, with favourable impacts on productivity.”
“Exercising, eating and sleeping well are the keys to success”:
Rosalie Moscoe, founder of Health in Harmony
Since 1995, Rosalie Moscoe has provided Canadian companies with stress management services. In her talks, the Health in Harmony founder explains that stress is relative and that everyone has the tools required to fight it.
What are your current findings regarding workplace stress?
Burnout, harassment, lack free time and sometimes difficult personal relationships are all causes of stress at work. Employees don’t want to appear weak to their employers, however, so they say nothing. Men exercise to get rid of their stress, while women tend to think they can deal with the problem themselves, which is not the case.
What do you suggest?
I regularly give talks in the workplace on healthy, stress-free living. Exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep are the keys to success. Moreover, one mustn’t forget that stress is a question of perception. It’s important to put things into context. If your computer dies on you, don’t think that it’s all over, that you’ll lose your job, that you’re an idiot, etc. It’s important to develop positive self-talk by telling yourself that things will work out, that you’ll find a solution, and that tomorrow will be better.
What can employers do to reduce stress?
Employers can play a role in reducing stress with rest areas, exercise rooms, seminars, daycares and walking groups for their employees—in short, anything that makes employees feel valued. They appreciate their well-being being considered, and this is then reflected in their work.
Rosalie Moscoe is the author of the e-book “Frazzled, Hurried Woman! Your Stress Relief Guide to Thriving…Not Merely Surviving”
“An immediate return on investment”
Dahnalda Glennie, president of Massage at Work
Dahnalda Glennie, founder and president of Massage At Work has been offering workplace massage services across Canada since 2002. Her objective: to relieve employee stress. Clients include Ikea, Rogers, BNP Paribas, and Nintendo Canada.
What services do you offer?
We offer chair massages in the workplace to relieve employee stress. Each massage lasts between 10 and 30 minutes. It’s no longer than a coffee break and employees go back to work motivated. A relaxing massage helps clear the mind, and more vigorous movements at the end of a session provide energy to return to one’s tasks.
What’s in it for employers?
As opposed to what one might think, work time is not wasted. The return on investment is immediate for employers because employees are more productive, focused and motivated after a massage.
What do employees think about the service?
They systematically ask us when we’re coming back! They really like that the company is concerned about their welfare. They consider the service to be more of a gift than a fitness class, for example. It’s true that after a long day at work, a message is a nice reward.