Effective Staff Wellness Programs: Enhancing Health and Productivity
Employees spend nearly 36% of their waking hours at work, making workplace wellness programs essential. These programs promote overall fitness and mental alertness, reduce absenteeism, lower stress, and support healthier, longer lives. Research indicates that wellness initiatives boost staff morale, decrease healthcare costs, and increase productivity. Key components include physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and education. Start by securing administrative support, surveying staff needs, and developing an action plan. Sample programs include health fairs, yoga classes, and tobacco cessation resources.
Effective Staff Wellness Programs: Enhancing Health and Productivity
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Presentation Transcript
FACTS: • Employees spend approximately 36% of their waking hours at work • Employees who improve their health can. . . Improve overall fitness and mental alertness Reduce absenteeism Reduce stress Live healthier, longer lives
Research has shown that when a wellness program is available to staff: • staff morale is higher • health care costs are reduced • lower employee absenteeism rates • higher productivity • staff who are healthy and fit make better role models for students and families
Teacher absences are associated with lower academic achievement of their students. - Miller, RT, Murname, RJ, & Willett, JB, Do Teacher Absences Impact Student Achievement?, 2007
Key Components • Physical Activity • Healthy Foods & Beverages • Stress Management • Weight Control & Nutrition Programs • Health Screenings • Cessation Programs • Education & Awareness
How to get started. . . • Get Support from Administration • Designate a Coordinator • Survey Staff to assess health status and interest • Conduct environmental assessment
Use assessment results to prioritize your program components and set goals and objectives. • Develop an Action Plan • Market your programs
Sample Programs • Health Fairs • Walk Across America • 10,000 Steps A Day • Yoga • Nutrition Cooking Classes • Weight Classes • Aerobics • Stress Management • Tobacco Cessation
Resources • MyPyramid Tracker www.mypyramidtracker.gov • 5 A Day www.5aday.org/educators/wellness/index.php • CDC www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/stress/pdf • Healthy Arkansas www.arkansas.gov/ha/pdf/worksite_wellness.pdf • Arkansas Tobacco Quitline www.stampoutsmoking.com/resources.html
Sample Wellness Survey www.arkansascsh.org
LifeSynch • Extensive Health Library • Get Fit Virtual Trainer • Personal Tracker • Chat Rooms • Email Health Coaching
LifeSynch Information www.lifesynch.com www.lifesynch.com/arwellness