September 13 2013
By: Staci Cretu, M.S.
Marketing and Communications Manager
We all know how important it is to be healthy and what makes up a healthy lifestyle. And most of us know that we should be doing more. However, reports on workplace wellness show that more than half of employees don’t get enough exercise. Many employees also have risk factors that can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Employers have a stake in their employees’ health that goes beyond just the cost of health insurance, as healthier employees are happier and more productive.
Employer sponsored wellness programs have been popular for many years and come in many different forms. They can be as simple as a lunchtime walking group, a healthy lunch incentive, or a group weight loss program as well as large corporate-sponsored events. The end results are all geared toward the same thing: being healthier.
A major benefit of a workplace wellness program is the social support of your co-workers. It is much easier to stay motivated and committed when you have others’ encouragement and companionship. With so much of our time spent at work and with co-workers, participating in a wellness program is an easy way to make lifestyle changes.
Believing in wellness programs to enrich our employees’ (and indirectly, their families) physical, mental, emotional, occupational and spiritual well-being, we offer the Westfalia Wellness Program. As an organized program it is designed to make the work environment more supportive of positive health behaviors of employees.
Our programs are aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of health issues and provide support at individual, group, and organizational levels with educational Lunch ‘N Learns, community giving, healthy vending machine policies, and physical activity and weight loss programs. In fact, our walking program is making strides and we are proud to report that our Westfalia Walking Warriors will be participating in the second annual Heart Walk on Sept 29th.
Supporting our community also ties in with our commitment to our employees and their families. The Westfalia C.A.R.E.S. program is an employee-run program and Westfalia’s Commitment to Assisting to Raise awareness and Empower employee Service in the community. Westfalia C.A.R.E.S. supports national organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross as well as local organizations including the York County Food Bank, and the York County Youth Football Association.
One last thought on corporate wellness programs: A recent study appearing in the September issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found “results consistently and significantly suggest that companies focusing on the health and safety of their workforce are yielding greater value for their investors.” Another plus on the side of corporate wellness programs.