Professional Development

The opportunity that was presented to me in serving on the Company Wellness Team ignited a real passion for educating employees on their health and wellness.  I went back to school to get a degree in health education while receiving academic honors. I have completed several Welcoa certifications earning the status of Welcoa Faculty.  Last year I completed the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking” training so I can provide on-site classes at our three locations to employees.  Going through the process with employees to help them fight the ups and downs of their nicotine addiction has been most rewarding.

Demonstrated Success

The most important and success driven tool that we have implemented at Hydro-Gear is the annual Health Risk Assessment.  Employees appreciate the free, complete, and comprehensive blood work that is conveniently provided on-site.  The participation in the annual Health Risk Assessment has been as high as 94%; a number the HRA provider said is virtually unheard of for the manufacturing industry.  The aggregate information that the Health Risk Assessment provides is invaluable and helps to determine what aspect of employee health we need to target.  It is especially rewarding when employees now take an interest in their health status, instead of ignoring it.  After determining what the targets of employee health needs are, we have implemented several on-site opportunities such as weight loss programs and challenges, exercise sessions, quit smoking classes, flu shots, mammograms, PSA testing, weekly weigh-ins and blood pressure checks.  All of these initiatives help to keep employees aware and engaged in their health status all year long as opposed to one or two months out of the year.  I also work with our local county health department and hospitals to offer even more on-site education and testing opportunities.  Hydro-Gear’s Wellness program also offers discounts on a local gym membership.  Many of the programs offered that include any kind of expense to our employees is done with payroll deductions to make participation as easy and convenient for our employees as possible.  Thus allowing those who may be struggling financially the same opportunity to participate in the Wellness program. 

When researching the supplier that provides vending to the companies break rooms, it was determined that the options weren't promoting or providing healthy nutrition to our employees.  After working with a different vending company and providing the vendor with an expectation of nutrition guidelines, Hydro-Gear switched to this new vending company making the options in the break rooms more in alignment with our Wellness initiative.  We also worked with the local grocery store to provide punch cards to employees who purchased a salad from the salad bar.  After purchasing and receiving five punches on their card, they were entered into a drawing.

The on-site smoking cessation classes have been ongoing each year with participation at multiple locations.  One group has been successfully “quit” for three years in February.  This is a huge accomplishment for the employees that participated as they had all been tobacco users for over 20 years, trying multiple times to stay quit.  Having these employees as examples is not only inspiring and motivating but also a great support system to others that may be contemplating quitting. 

Leadership

My personal experience with weight and health issues has been the catalyst that helped me achieve leadership status.  I can identify with the struggles that employees are facing.  When they see where I was with my weight and where I am now it helps them to understand that they can achieve the same positive results. I've found that being in this role, employees pay attention to my personal habits.  If I indulge in an unhealthy habit, I WILL get caught and called out.  Despite what we may think, employees are paying attention and the decisions we make leaves an impression on them.  I strongly believe in leading by example.  If we, as health professionals, can influence our employees in a positive way, the employees will take the knowledge gained and the healthier habits home to their families.  Making employees aware of their health status, educating them on healthier options, and gaining participation are the map to a healthier society.

Innovation

With companies trying to cut expenses, it is important to be innovative in an approach to reach the greatest number of employees in the most effective way.  I've learned that the small changes are often the most beneficial and leave a lasting impression on employees.  One example of change that generated a lot of buzz around the work place was when I arranged to have my desk raised so that I could spend less of my nine hour day at work sitting in the deadly office chair.  Since doing that, approximately 20 employees in the office have followed suit and more are contemplating the change. I haven’t heard anyone say they regret making that decision.  This small change promoted awareness, education, and the opportunity to participate in a healthier way of living while at work where we spend so much of our time.  

Compelling Vision

I’ve found that the biggest struggle that employees have in reaching their goals where personal health is concerned is that they have too many obligations and not enough time.  Our employees work 9 hour days and then go home to families and don’t have adequate time to prepare healthy meals or have the extra time to dedicate themselves to an exercise program.  I would like to move the company towards providing on-site fitness facility’s where employees can come in early, stay late, or use their break and lunches for exercise.  I think it would be especially motivating to see all levels of the company using the on-site fitness facility together, including the executive team.  Not only would the company health status improve, the morale of the employees would improve because they would see the investment the company made in their professional and personal lives.