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i work from my home for a health and wellness company it is so great to work for my self and i am the only one responsible for my weight. know that i am home i make the better decisions to eat healthier because i don't have to hurry up and eat in a few minutes and get back to work and i don't go out to eat because i am already at home. it has helped me loose weight and the company i work for sells all non- toxic house hold products at whole sale prices which makes then cost less than even walmart per use. just thought i would share the information because i wish i new about safer products when my oldest child was born.
cindy
www.haveasaferhome.com
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SKINNYNANNY
3/10/07 12:44 A
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| I work for a school district right now and they do have a wellness challenge, we have had a weight loss competition also. But it isn't enough to keep me motivated as I work in special education and don't get around the regular ed much. also I don't hang out with many people there and come 3:00 everyone hits the parking lot and leaves. 30 min. lunches aren't too condusive to exercise times. hopefully will change jobs, but don't look to my employer to offer anything.
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WELLBEING07
3/9/07 11:46 P
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I don't work for a company but what did work for me was non food rewards. I set up a note book a place for vusual reminders and to track stuff like food intake, exercise and motvational quotes, saying, inspiriation and other ideas.
Prizes and bonuses for different amount of days of exercise done in a row on a persons program could get a gift card for example.
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JITTERBUG2668
7/20/06 10:05 A
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I work for a federal police agency that has a full access free gym. They also have fitness incentives such as the fitness challenge where if you pass at 80% or 90% they give you a 250 or 500 dollar incentive. We've also had 2 weigh loss challenges in which employees (sworn and civilian) team up and compete for pounds lost. Our health and fitness coordinators work for Federal Health Benefits and the one lady who I directly see and work with on a daily basis is one of the reasons why I've lost 30 lbs since January (besides SP!). She keeps me motivated, tells me I'm looking great, and gives me cool tips all the time. We're constantly talking food which usually makes the two of us hungry. I really think SP should try to team up with the Fed Gov as they are so many positions where people don't have all the benefits as myself and need a little extra help. The Fed Gov would be paying alot less into healthcare benefits if they had SP on their side!
Theresa
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IAMJUSTME001
7/20/06 1:07 A
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Your right...
Nova Scotia,weather, hmmm, what can I say...it is a roller coaster but I guess it is the changes I like.
Of course, I love the sea and we are surrounded by it. Summer can be hot and muggy or lots of rain like this year, with a bit of both....I love the fall with the changing of colors...that is one of my favorite times of the year. But I don't wish time away..... Love this sparks site....you meet so many nice people....
Laurie
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CHIHUAHUAMAMA
7/19/06 9:21 P
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There should be a way to balance it all out; to have good health care and still be able to take people to task who are obviously incompetent.
I am sorry to hear about your uncle. After working in a nursing home a number of years ago and seeing what chemo does to a person even if it's administered correctly, that's the last treatment I would undergo. It has so far worked out well for my best friend, but that hasn't changed my mind about whether I would do it or not. I put a lot of effort into prevention and hope.
How is it in Nova Scotia nowadays? I had a hairdresser who was from there. She missed her family and friends, but did not miss the area much. The weather is harsh, I understand, and employment opportunities were limited.
People are always suggesting that things need to change this way, that way, or the other way, but it's very difficult to make any change without money. The government's money comes from us, so our taxes keep going up. I sure I'm preaching to the choir here. Sounds like you know exactly what's what.
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IAMJUSTME001
7/19/06 3:58 P
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Hi, I am Canadian, actually, from the little province of Nova Scotia, in the city of Halifax.
We pay alot of taxes but unfortunately every time you turn around we get taxes on something else. Some say it is good. Being sick I am blessed that our health care is covered among other stuff, but still if exercise and nutrition featured more anywhere it would improved all the sickness that people inevetably get.
But I hate to say it, every time I have to sign a form letting the hospital off scott free I think of an uncle who was given too much chemo and it fried his insides. The cancer was gone and he died anyway after months of excruitiating pain.
No, there are alot of problems in governments and health, but you would be surprised at how much you can pay out in taxes and still have an overall unhealthy population. I was diagnosed with IC at the age of 28, l7 years ago, and no one could have told me that when I was a kid that illness wasn't just for the elderley. I did not know. You grow up and learn alot about life.
Laurie
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CHIHUAHUAMAMA
7/19/06 2:34 P
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| There are only five employees where I work, so we do not have a health care option. It would be very nice if the government could find a way to fund health care. This is one big plus that Canada has over the U.S.A., although I would not want to pay the taxes that they do up there. It's a daunting task to balance the federal budget. I think the health care prices would go down by quite a bit if all these frivolous law suits would be disallowed. Granted, people do make mistakes, but it seems as though people want to sue someone else for their own stupidity. My son's Neurologist was sued by a man who refused to follow her orders, didn't take the prescribed medicine, used his wife's herbal teas instead, and then blamed the Doctor when he ended up in the hospital! Doctors and hospitals pay outrageous premiums for malpractice insurance to cover baseless lawsuits filed by idiots like that. Cut out all the BS and all our costs would go down, possibly making it a whole lot easier for the government to find a way to fund health care.
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IAMJUSTME001
7/19/06 1:44 P
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o.k. for me I have to be honest. Fitness was just not my thing. I was a chronic dieter....At the age of l6 - l8 anaerexic. But after becoming sick l7 years ago, I came to some conclusions, firstly doctors take care of one thing and one thing only. One thing at a time. Very rarely do they consider the whole being. I think that it all starts with what we eat and how we keep fit. That is why I was so astonished by what Sparks is accomplishing. Governments don't do this, hospitals don't do this. This is the start. I think if the hospitals posted Sparks, the local Radio Station spoke about Sparks, but everyone wants money. But when it comes right down to it people don't realize how important it all is until they are sick and then sometimes you cannot change back the clock. Well Sparks has taught me that their is a flip side to that coin. That you can change anything if you try. So everyday I wake up and I try. I try to do one more exercise or an extra 5 minutes on my bike. It is not an easy task.
If is a daunting to a sick person it would be even so for a healthy active person. Because when you are healthy and active sometimes there are not enough hours in the day. I cannot work because I am up every hour all night long in pain. I have lots of hours in the day where I am so bored my brain hurts. What do you do..... I saw myself change over all the years and did not know what to do. I was lost in misery and did not want to face the world.
If only the government realized that. MAYBE the government should open some free health facilities. All the money that is wasted in other places could actually come to good use. Daycare is subsidized, why not subsidize your health.
I am shakin my head when I realize all what I am saying is just a crock really because half the time people just don't listen and even don't care. When it comes down to it, not many healthy people want to talk about their weight, it would be worse to wait to long and become sick and then realize ....I should have asked for help a long time ago. A step at a time....baby steps, right....I am in for a long haul....sign me up.....Send me to the press...I am all for employers keeping the employees healthy, because a healthy, happy employee works longer and is more productive.
I would like to put a Sparks flyer in the flyers that go out to all the houses in my area. Open your eyes, I would say......
Laurie
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BRANDONSGIRL3
7/18/06 6:57 P
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wow thanks im a little slow i guess! hahaha right in fornt of me. well i was getting like 50 messages whenever i check my mail, im not that chatty!
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CHIHUAHUAMAMA
7/18/06 6:33 P
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| Brandonsgirl3, just below the block where you type in your message is a checked box titled "I want an emai to be sent to me when anyone replies to this topic." Click on the box and the check mark will disappear, then you won't get email when someone replies.
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BRANDONSGIRL3
7/18/06 4:06 P
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| how do i get ti where i dont get an email for all these message boards i was responding too.
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Hey Emily,
If your company doesn't have anything, you should consider forwarding her some information about our FREE Employee wellness Program!! There are no strings attached and they can get started with little or no help!
~Dave~
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| My company has no wellness ideas for any employees. I wish they did as I need HELP.
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DEBBIEKAY1
7/14/06 9:03 A
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What a Awesome idea! Hopefully some of the people I work with will sign up.
I printed off some flyers with our team Name and I am hoping some fellow employees will join me in this adventure.
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BRANDONSGIRL3
7/14/06 4:12 A
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| after i oose the weight this is what i want to do for a living wellness coach. i think that everyone should have one!
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| Yes, I feel that a company that cares about their employees should have a wellness plan in affect, and also encourage their employees to attend the program.
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My husband's company has had a "wellness" programme for several years. Until this year, however, it consisted of "health coaches" to offer advice on chronic illnesses, maternity, etc. This year they began offering incentives for exercise participation, including reimbursement for health club fees and a quarterly drawing for cruises. My husband and I have participated, but the programme itself was not responsible for our lifestyle changes--it simply dove-tailed with what we were already doing.
Do corporations have a responsibility to encourage employee wellness? In my opinion, yes. The bulk of our waking hours are spent in the workplace. Employers, whether through direct action or passive "suggestion" control/influence our personal behaviours in many cases. Giving examples of this would be beyond the limitations of this forum, but suffice it to say that many of the decisions we make on a daily basis that affect our health are influenced by the pressures and time constraints of our jobs.
In the long run, it's to an employer's benefit any time an employee makes a decision to adopt a health-promoting lifestyle. Even the controversial "gastric bypass" surgery can be far less expensive than the consequences of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, etc., whether it be in terms of lost productivity or health care costs.
Just my thoughts.
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BILLIEBUNNY19
7/13/06 6:55 P
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| I work for a small buisness... there really isn't much for small buisness types.
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PEGGYSUE_13
7/13/06 2:27 P
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| My company wellness program is what got me to SparkPeople. I am grateful for that.
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I work for a very large international company that strongly encourages health and wellness. The company has negotiated discounts with national chains (Bally's, Curves, etc.) plus independent trainers and gyms that belong to a certain network. I'm in a rather rural area so those don't benefit me much. I can join WW or the south beach plan for a reduced cost but I prefer SP because it is free and extremely helpful
We have incentives through WedMD to get $100 off our health insurance premiums by reading articles, completing quizzes, etc. The resources are helpful, but I can see where they would be misused, i.e. people doing all the work to earn the refund but not following any of the advice they get to make themselves healthier.
I agree that it isn't up to employers to monitor our health and wellness. People need to be responsible for their own actions, or lack thereof, when it comes to their wellbeing. However, it is nice to have these resources available.
Perhaps a better way to motivate people to lead healthier lives would be for insurance companies to reimburse customers that go claim free for a certain period of time. My auto insurance provider does this, so why would health insurance be any different? Some might argue that people may ignore serious health threats in an effort to earn the rebate, but don't people do that now because they can't afford insurance coverage or the necessary meds/treatments for their ailments?
It all boils down to personal accountability, which is something most Americans struggle to accept. They'd rather blame food manufacturers, restaurants, the entertainment industry and the media.
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AZURE7SKY
7/13/06 12:32 P
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I work at a large university and the wellness options are actually quite varied. I think part of that is because programs are started for the students and then expanded for use by the faculty and staff. There is a wellness Program that includes personal training for one quarter and assessments like % body fat and nutrition. There is a weight watchers program. I am excited to try the new walking program. There is a Walk Log that is tied into the same single sign-on we use for business functions. You can log your time, distance, goals, etc. They have also set up a number of suggested walking routes that you can view online and they have put up permanent markers on the routes outside to help guide you and to raise awareness. The Recreation Department has even set up a reward system for hitting certain cummulative mileages. There is even a way for people to organize group walks that others can join.
With all of this support available, I still find it hard to get out there/want to get out there. I don't like being hot and sweaty at work. There are showers in the next building over, but I would have to shorten my walk to use them because my boss/coworkers don't shower after their walks and the extra time wouldn't be supported. I also find that I'd rather relax and eat my lunch comfortably than go walking because we aren't allowed to take extra time beyond our normal breaks. To go walking, I would have to work while eating my lunch -- an unhealthy practice in itself. Its a strange situation here. There are lots of resources, but we aren't always granted the time to utilize them -- even if we are willing to make that time up at the beginning/end of the day. I find that support from the top of the organization doesn't always matter if the immediate levels (departments) don't also provide support. And as always, it is easier when there is critical mass of people who want to participate. Combining breaks with lunch to extend mid-day break time was frowned upon until there was a group of people interested in walking -- not just one.
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| At the last company I worked for there was a Health and wellness newsletter that went out quarterly but it never mentioned exercising or eating right or dieting. It was more about your health insurance. Sort of pointless. Every once in awhile the HR Dept would send out a little flyer about portion control but in the year I was there I only saw 3 things like that and they were put together by our health insurance provider. Other than that there wasn't anything to promote a healthy lifestyle.
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My office has a wellness site and different challenges for people to accomplish to fight off the battle of the bulge. I am following the forum. It is good to see companies getting involved to help people look their best!
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| I work for a medical office and we are all battling the bulge. My doctor employer works long, hard, erratic hours since he is a surgeon and has to grab food as he can which is not a good way to eat. The girls in the office are always eating high calorie, high fat foods and then wonder why their 15 minute walk isn't working. I have tried to tell them about SP in the hopes that it will inspire them but it falls on deaf ears. So, I just sit in my little corner of the office and smile when I hear them complain. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, as the old saying goes.
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I work for a medium sized company that actually grows and sells fruit. You'd think that we would be health minded but for the most part aren't. We've had great benefits (still get completely paid for health insurance and everyone gets a $10k life insurance policy). They bring in lunch 3 times a week but unfortunately it is all fried foods or heavy saturated fat type foods. When possible they do try to buy foods from churches and schools that are doing fundraisers. The vast majority of the employees are overweight. A few have lobbied for a weight room or at least a basketball court (we have lots of cement around) but nothing has happened with that and I doubt it will. It used to be that there were no soda machines in the office because the owner was against them but over time as he's become less involved in the company, sodas and chips are now regularly stocked items in the kitchen.
I am not ungrateful for all of this, because truly it is way more than most employers give their employees. I just wish that there was a more healthy approach to it. I've been told that it is very difficult to get healthy food in quantity for 50+ people at lunchtime. Perhaps that is the case.
I may bring up the employee wellness idea with some of the administration and see if there is interest. There probably is as most want to lose weight, but are at a loss of how to do it. I just wonder if now that I've lost my weight it might be seen as me being "know-it-all" rather than helpful. I'll have to look at how to do it tactfully. If anything, promoting this would be a lot cheaper than paying for people's gastric bypass surgeries! We've had 5 people have the surgery in the last 2 years. ;)
Shani
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CHERYLLYNN21
7/12/06 7:43 P
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| I wish my company would do this. I have gained 20 lbs in that last year from just sitting @ a desk all day. I have mentioned this site to several people @ work. Most of them don't seem too interested. When they really should be. But actually a couple have joined the site. So good for them!!!
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| THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS THE SAME IDEA. EVERYONE THAT WORKS THERE STARTED OUT THIN BUT AFTER A SHORT WHILE EVERYONE PUTS ON THE POUNDS. I HAVE MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS SO I REFUSE TO LET THE POUNDS STAY ON MY BODY BUT IT IS A CONSTANT FIGHT.
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I think a part of it depends on the type of company. Wish I could answer all those points, as I am sure there are answers but I can't. The place I work at is a family run business, most are related to my (step)grandpa. So it would be in their interest to help each other in having a healthy life.
A company that makes a weight quota, would not be one that I would want to stay at, but then I am against quotas in general. The questions reminded me of congress when discussing a bill involving discrimination in the work place based on genetics. It has come into question whether, if we have the whole genetic code figured out, that companies could discriminate (not hire/fire etc) based upon a persons genetical make up, if the have the gene for certain complications. There will always be ethical problems, some will make the wrong choices with it. Just have to hope that those in charge of the group and plan, follow a good code of ethics.
I don't think it is the companies responsability for my wellness, I won't even be here really much longer since school starts end of next month, but I do think that it can be helpful if a large amount of the company have problems making healthy choices. Some people discuss how the company buys meals, but they don't always have options that they can have. So not their responsibility, but help is good to have.
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WARRIOR_WOMAN
7/12/06 3:36 P
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This is an interesting topic. I am not sure how I feel about it.
It is nice when part or all of my gym membership is covered but outside of that....
So what is the roll of your employer in making sure you are healthy? Are they responsible? Should they be? And what are the boundries?
There was that one company that gave employees a year and all possible resources to quit smoking. After a year you would get fired if you werent able to stop. Smoking is unhealthy and causes major $$$ in health costs. No one disagrees that smoking causes expensive health care costs
What if they said if your BMI was over a certain number, you have a year to lose it or you are fired? Would that be the same as above? Obesity casues $$$ in health care costs as well.
What if the owner/employeer decides that you can no longer eat meat on company grounds as they find it unhealthy?
How is it that my wellness and health became my employer's business or became responsible for it? And what about mental health? Would you have to participate in marriage/family counseling to make sure that is OK?
I am just asking these questions. Sure it is nice for a company to offer welleness programs but I dont believe they have to. If the company feels it is in their best interest not to pay for this, oh well. They are a business and a business only survives by making money- not by making people feel good (unless that is how they make their money).
I also become leary when people think or believe that the government or their employeer becomes their gaurdian, expected to be responsible for thier health and well being.
Like I said- just questions- not trying to cause any ruckous!
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| I don't know about any of my companies, really have too many jobs, but I do think it is a great idea. I know here on the farm this is a decent number of people who mention wanting to lose weight. Also, an in general sense of unhealthy eating is going on here. Food when brought in consist of things like pizza, donuts, hamburgers & fries, or the closest to healthy things would be sub sandwiches. Am considering proposing the idea to the boss(my grandpa). It would also help him personally, because if he does it at work then he will probably make more attempts at eating healthy and grandma will stop blaming him for hindering her desire to be healthy. So it is a win/win, just have to figure out how to propose it.
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BRANDY_SUE
7/12/06 12:50 P
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I work at a college and we do have some employee wellness programs, though not with SparkPeople. We have free use of the gym, although to use the cardio center there is a small annual fee ($35/yr). They made a separate locker room for faculty and staff, which is great for those of us who would feel uncomfortable showering with our students. They also have a couple exercise challenges, which they do during stressful times of year. In April, there is a month-long exercise challenge where you get together a team of people, set yourselves an exercise goal, and try to reach it by the end of the month. If you reach your goal, you each get a free state park sticker for your car ($25 value, lets you in to any state park for free for the next 12 months). It's great incentive-- and it encourages MORE activity! I use my state park sticker to go hiking!
B
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WALKERMI25
7/12/06 12:48 P
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I am happy to say that I found SP through my employer's wellness website. I work for IBM and there is a strong focus on wellness and we have some good programs for preventative care rebates, virtual fitness teams, etc.
Part of our virtual fitness center includes use of the SP program at no cost to employees. I can't complain at all about this, but the access I get to SP is limited in that we don't get the calories expended side of the site where you can track your exercise and get the estimate of how many calories a day you should be burning.
My feedback for SP is that those of us using this limited SP program be given the opportunity to the full usage for some "upgrade" type of fee or something. While I track exercise on my company's virtual fitness site, it does not get into the details that SP has and is not really integrated w/ te whole SP program.
Thanks for asking for feedback!
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PRINICITA
7/12/06 12:02 P
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| I work on 2nd shift in a hospital and while they have a wellness program it is totally deicated to first shift and the nursing staff. Everything is at like 4 in the afternoon when I'm just an hour into my workday and even though I'd like to participate, working 8 hour shifts and being full time, you can't just pack up and leave to go to pilates.
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| We also have a wellness Program where I work and I find that if I exercise at home I can get my family involved-then you're still having quality time with each other. Also, it shows your children and spouse that you care enough about yourself, and them, to want to live a healthier lifestyle and take better care of themselves.
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We have an employee wellness program and I participate in it. The wellness program was Union Negotiated, but it is available to all employees. Our program allow for either assistance with health club membership or up to 3 hrs per week to exercise.
I think the employee wellness programs increase productivity and morale. One of my co-workers in my exercise buddy and we hold each other accountable for going.
Our wellness program has been available for many years, but I hesitated to participate in it. I just don't like taking the time away from my work. I would rather exercise on my own time except that it takes time away from my children. However, I am glad the opportunity is there because otherwise I would have a tough time fitting the exercise in.
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I work downtown Miami and it is hotter than hell around lunch time when I try to take a power walk. After work,I have to fight traffic for an hour to go 16 miles just to get to the Gym.
Luckily, my employer will be providing an on-site Employee wellness Center starting September. Guess who will be the first to join? (can't wait!!)
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TICKLE*ME*PINK
7/12/06 9:49 A
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I have a disability that prevents me from working at the moment, but I have been speaking with many people lately, with whom, I've been spreading the spark. I used to manage a large ware-house type Pet Store chain,& continue to speak with my colleagues... but more recently, I have become more involved at church, with many people in their own businesses, as well as work. I am chatting up a storm with them, to become involved with SPARKPEOPLE!
I am in the process currently of putting plans together to write childrens' books, and will be dedicating my books to sparkpeople.com!
I TOTALLY LOVE SPARKPEOPLE, AND REALLY CANNOT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE ENOUGH, FOR MAKING ME FEEL "HUMAN AGAIN"!!
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I work for a health organisation and as part of our performance appraisal we have set goals for our health/ wellness plan. My company pay's half the yearly gym or swimming fees (we pay the other half at $20 per payday until paid in full). The company also provides a van that goes to either venue four times a week at lunchtimes.
Our obligations are each person must exercise at least two times per week and one in our own time and we must have a snack and water on our way back from training. Most of us have lunch either at afternoon or morning tea.
The benefits to the employees is huge in weight loss, increased strength and general wellbeing but at the end of the year it was found that sick days were significantly less and mental health days (commonly Mondayitis or Fridayitis) have reduced as well.
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HAMMERGIRL24
7/12/06 12:40 A
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| I work for myself as a subcontractor. Still there are expectations that I arrive at the same time everyday as everyone else. 2 days a week I come in 1.5 hours later so that I can go to the gym when it opens with my sister, and some of the guys grumble about how I come in late. I have been doing this since February because I used to hit the gym 5 days a week before I started this job, and now I'm usually only able to make it my 2 mornings. I think I am only allowed this because #1 my boss works out alot (but his gym is open until much later at night than mine) and #2 he sees the improvement I have made in myself. I wish I could silence those other guys though...
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| I would love for my company to get involved with Spark. I work at a major utility company with a call center of about 200 people alone, not to mention hundreds in other departments. Company wide there are thousands of employees. We currently have a wellness program that basically provides some information and counseling if needed over the phone, its nothing like Spark. I do not know of anyone there who uses it. I imagine that its not free either. I was wondering if Spark is contacting employers at all to offer this service? I am really not comfortable bringing it up to my employer but would love it if someone could get the word out to them. I can provide contact info in a sparkmail. Let me know, thanks!
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FATNOMORE7
7/11/06 4:10 P
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| I work for a small company (125 employees). There is little money for preventative mainentance on machines, much less for "extras". This would be great because this company has an average employee age of 45, smoker, and obese. When I suggested to our Benefits person that it would be nice to have something available to the overweight (not just the smoker) I was told that there was not enough interest. Every year our medical insurance company changes due to high medical expenses that could be changed if something was available to those employees who were interested. Any suggestions on how to approach management regarding the cost effectiveness on medical costs alone, not counting sick time, etc?
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PRECIOUS1A
7/11/06 3:28 P
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I work for myself...But I got a postcard in the mail from a local gym looking for women who needed to lose 15-100lbs..included a personal trainer, nutritionist and full membership privileges for only $39 a month..No contract..Quit any time no penalty
I thought that was a pretty good deal..I love it..I go 4 to 5 times a week.
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Hey BLACKSWAN,
I'll have to say I'm impressed by all of the things your company is offering you and your fellow co-workers! It's rare that a company tries so hard to keep their employees healthy. And it seems they have made it so everyone seems comfortable with the corporation's level of involvement. Oftentimes, employees can feel as though the company is trying to be too nosy by getting involved with the health aspects of its employees. It's a difficult balancing act!
~Dave~
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I work for a major bank in Canada. My dept is a contact centre for internet & telephone banking. While our company encourages a healthy lifestyle, they do not really help us get there. There is a gym in the building where our office is but they no longer have a corporate discount (which wasn't much of a discount to begin with ). The company does have shower facilities & lockers for us which is a help to not have to bring workout clothes everyday.
The problem is we are stuck at our desks our entire shifts. Glued to the computers with our headsets. They are always feeding us ( I know it's up to us to make healthy choices and reject things that we know we shouldn't eat ). I gained 8 pounds in less than 2 weeks during training - gained 30 within a year of working there. My boss said she had gained 10 pounds for every year she worked there ( 70 pds!!).
I don't know what they could do to help us other than get us a really good deal for the gym and lay off the ice ream socials!
Thankfully I have a year off for maternity leave. I go back to work in October. I'm now 20 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight so only 10 to go to be at what I was when I was hired. Hopefully will be even less by Oct. The real challenge will be keeping it off once I go back to work and try to balance my work/home responsibilities again.
Melanie 
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CARDIOMYOPATHY
7/11/06 7:47 A
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| I am in the process of changing jobs...I currently work for a larger company...over 300 employees with about 8 different office locations that we are spread out over. It is a cardiology practice. The company doesn't have any kind of wellness program for the employees. We take care of the patients, but not the employees. At the company where I will soon be heading...it is a smaller private practise with less than 50 employees...they have all kinds of wellness ideas. The office manager has to "authorize" any lunches or treats that the pharmaceutical reps bring into the office to make sure that they are healthy. No birthday cakes...fruit trays instead. Non-smoking lifestyle is encouraged. Exercise...also encouraged. A real "team spirit" is encouraged. They have contests and group goals concerning being healthy...I don't know all the details but, in short, they practise what they preach. A nice change if you ask me. I will get the full picture after I start the new job. The healthy attitude is part of what attracted me to take the job. It is the first time in all my years of college and working that I have encountered an employer who made the employee wellness a part of the daily routine. Kind of sad when you realize that I work in the medical field...in cardiology...and the folks that I help take care of have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco addictions, heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes and so on. Lots of these conditions can be aggressively managed with not just interventions and medication but also with lifestyle modifications. Not to preach but, it definately makes sense for those of us who "preach" to "practise" what we are teaching. I will never forget the first job that I had at a hospital where the Chief of Cardiology used to carry his smokes in his SOCK so his patients wouldn't see them and his lunches generally consisted of fried chicken, fried okra, cheesecake and gallons of coffee loaded with cream and sugar and no one but me thought he was a hypocrite. I even had to shut off the oxygen to a room we had re-vamped to be a "reading room" (interpreting tests) because this dude would sit, reading EKG's, Echos, Nuclear studies etc. WHILE puffing away on his smokes. Could've blown up the whole hospital!! (that was over 15 yrs ago...I think he is retired by now)
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My company takes employee wellness very seriously. We have several different programs of various sorts going on all the time. In addition, we have an onsite gym with fitness counselors, lunch-n-learn sessions, a free copy of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care, and even membership to SparkPeople back before it was free! They do a free basic blood testing every other year and free mammograms every other year too.
Our on-site cafeteria has a wonderful fresh salad bar, fresh fruits available, and different healthy options each day. On each floor we have soda machines that have bottled water and juice options for 25 cents a bottle/can.
I'm the healthiest I have been in twenty years because of all the great resources offered by my employer! They really care about the health of their employees.
Lisa
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| I work at a community college. We have a weight room with some exercise equipment that is available to faculty, staff, and students for a couple hours each day. The hours are not always convenient for me, and I am deterred by the amount of time it takes to get to the gym, change clothes, get sweaty and probably shower before going back to work. There just isn't time over a lunch break. I'm also intimidated by the young, buff, jock-types that are in there lifting weights. On the plus side, we have a beautiful campus, and it's a nice place to go for a walk when the weather is good. Our administration is concerned about wellness, and initiating a new program headed up by a "Wellness Committee" although I don't know yet what the plan is. They did give each of us a pedometer as a kick off, and we have an option to take part in programs through our health insurance providers.
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MYSTERYSLAIR
7/11/06 12:11 A
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well.. as the 'employer' of several people at my own internet radio station. I think perhaps that i should look into spark people and company wellness, we all live in different areas of country so getting together to do this is pretty much impossible. But, one thing i can do is set up an internet work out during some part of the day. I will think on the best way to do this. Then i will share it with everyone... one thing i might do is set up an exercise hour where songs with a great beat can be used to slow down and speed up. Im going to talk to them and see what they say about being a part of this.
in the mean time.. im doing what i can on my end to lose weight and be a less cranky boss
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| I work in the health care administration field for a mental health services company. We actually provide mental health benefits such as EAP and online resources for mental health assistance. My company does try to promote wellness and offers some incentives such as Weight Watcher's at Work. They allow you to pay with payroll deduction and then reimburse half the fee after the 14-week session if you attend 90% of the meetings. Unfortunately this is not available to all employees, only those in offices such as mine that are large enough to have the 20 participants required to hold an onsite meeting. They will not pay for attendence at regular WW meetings . We have health fairs each year at Corporate where I work, but I don't know if this is done across the company either. I understand the insurance does include some coverage for gym membership but I am not familiar with it and don't think it's really good or more folks would be using it? I am going to forward the SP info to our HR Benefits director and see if they would be willing to promote it...but I am not sure at all how they will respond. Meanwhile I tell everyone I know about SP, including all my WW and Curves buddies!
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| The company I work for is pretty employee aware. We have nurses on site that provide varied services. We have a weight watchers Group supported by the medical dept. We have a fitness center and strength training center. There are different classes associated with the fitness center. At least twice a year they issue a challenge. We also have a convenience store and a cafeteria. If you are dieting you can usually find something to eat there even if it's just a salad and fruit. There are even some dishes that have the nutrition facts displayed.
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| Beautiful picture WCGRAHAM. My company has a great wellness plan. They are constantly providing challenge to us.
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AEROFLOT57
7/10/06 3:58 P
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I work for county government, and I put the SparkPeople wellness program in as an employee suggestion; but they said they can't legally promote one health website over another, and that there are plenty of health/diet websites online, so it's up to the individual.
I really tried, gave them all the statistics about how they could save on health costs, etc., but they just won't promote it. So, I forwarded the SparkPeople website to a lot of people I know at work, and to all the secretaries, and just hope for the best.
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Thanks for forwarding the information about our program AUTENTICA! Hopefully they'll find a way to incorporate our program into their existing offerings.
By the way, that's pretty cool that one of your companies offers exercise leave. That's a really neat (and rare) concept. I think more companies should offer it (or at least make it optional).
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AUTENTICA
7/10/06 12:28 P
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| I have two employers. One offers a ton of stuff on wellness including exercise leave. The other has received a Health and wellness Initiative grant from a major local health company (10,000 dollars). We are required to incorporate health and wellness into the workplace. I have forwarded the information about Sparkpeople's Employee wellness program to the Executive Director of that company. I hope that they will snag it.
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| I work for a very large company. At one time, before we became so large, we had someone come in and give aerobic classes. Now, we have nothing. Oh, we do have discounts at about 2 gyms where I am located, more are spread out throughout the states. But I think we should have a place on site for the employees that have small children and are not able to go to a gym or even pay the amount that the gyms want.
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FULLGROWNWOMAN
7/10/06 10:20 A
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| I work in the weight loss industry, and while I think that the expectation is that you follow their program, there are no specific things in place to promote wellness.
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I work for a company that has a great wellness program. We have a wellness center right on site (about a 5 min. walk from my office) for $200/year which can be directly deducted from our pay in increments as small as $10. It has great equipment: weight training, raquetball courts, sauna, classes, etc. Plus there are special events that are sent out by email each month.
It's unfortunate that more people aren't taking advantage of this awesome benefit...it was one of the first things I did when I accepted the job.
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MISSDEBI101
7/10/06 9:03 A
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I work for a very small company. About the only thing they offer is a frig. so I can bring my lunch. I don't think they know what wellness is. 
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I work at a major corporation - over 80,000 employees worldwide, but a little over 2,000 where I work. There is no gym or participation in a health club membership. This company donated a major amount of money to the new YMCA close by but offers nothing to the employees.
The only health influence I see is by example - there are few overweight people in management. I guess if you want to move ahead you need to be fit.
My division has done some weight loss challenges but found it difficult as the men can lose so much faster than the women and it causes issues.
I lose for myself & my family - not my employer.
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CAROLLYNN007
7/9/06 11:05 P
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"Is it important for your company to be actively involved with your health?"
I dont know if thats the way I would word what I feel is important. I think it is important to me to have my company PROVIDE the means for their employees to improve overall health (not limited to diet and exercise) and employees to practice a healthy lifestyle as part of their investment in their staff just like offering a higher wage or better benefits. To sponsor programs like; health clubs, vacation tours, ecology loss prevention n waste seminars, charities, etc...and to show an understanding of these programs by structuring their work environment in support of them. I would like to see health insurance co.'s give discounts to businesses who (applicable programs)do so, government grants and fundings, and then the bussineses give better benefits, insurance discounts, rewards, to those employees who participate...(participation not weight inclusive) and of course I want them to provide as much as possible for me. LOL In that respect YES it is VERY important to me.
"actively?"
I have to be able to exercise some degree of privacy. A certain degree of competitiveness at work or at home can be healthy, but if work and play are one...I can see how that could easily become stressful and blurr personal/professional boundries. To me being able to keep work related goals and life seperate from home and personal related goals and life- IS important.
Just as everything under the heading MEDICAL is confidencial, including addiction/behavioral/marriage counseling, I think weight loss and the mental/emotional/physical struggles towards a healthy lifestyle and weight fall under that catagory as well.
"Is it important to share your fitness and health experiences with your co-workers?"
Uhmmm NO. Not unless they are also my friends. One doesnt always get to choose whom their co-workers are...and I can think of a few in past jobs who I wouldnt ever want knowing how much I weigh(ed),...and highly suspect that if they knew, they would actually poke fun or find a way to use it to their advantage, competitively.
I wonder about encouraging discriminations. One cannot always SEE an alchoholic/drug addict, smoker, and surely not the potential to contract cancer....but being fat already has its fill of prejudices without being looked at automatically as one who isnt living a healthy lifestyle and an insurance risk.
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| I work in a small office, less than 30 employees in our division. Our company will pay for a gym membership, and they pay all of our health insurance. I think about 1/2 of us take advantage of the health club dues incentive. When we moved to our current location the president talked about putting exercise equipment in a very large empty space we have, but our HR people shot it down due to insurance concerns.
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VILLAGECRONE
7/9/06 9:00 P
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I work for an insurance brokerage. Our CEO owns the building that we are in.
We have a full gym in the basement with full locker rooms and showers for women and men.
Would you be surprised if I told you that out of the 150 employees in the building only about 20 use the gym?
We also had WW at work. Most of the people dopped out. There were 4 of us that merged with a company in the office around the corner. That group just broke up too. Lack of participation.
The excuse that I get when I ask people why they haven't taken advantage of what is offered is that they feel that their weight loss and exercise isn't something that they want to share with their fellow employees.
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I work for a nutrition-related Government agency. Our current Administrator has pushed employee wellness more than anyone in the past and, while our program still isn't GREAT, it's certainly more than it was. We have a weight watchers @ Work group but the agency doesn't help pay. We have a small gym space where there are a few classes offered. And we have fitness challenges and such where you compete for an Olympic-type medal by eating your veggies, walking the stairs, etc.
I never thought of asking my employee wellness team to feature SparkPeople on their website--that's a great idea. Also loved the idea of having a SparkTeam of my coworkers.
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SWEETGOLDILOCKS
7/9/06 5:08 P
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I'm a contractor at a large oil company... the company takes decent care of their employees but could care less about us contractors.
I did find a scale in the basement bathroom though... I go down there instead of to the vending machine when bored. If I still want the chocolate after weighing myself, then I'll get it. But, 9 times out of 10, I don't :-)
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| I don't know about other professions, but in nursing we do tend to work more overtime. And back injuries are very frequent. However, when an injury occurs you get to see physio and they access you and put you on modified adn give you exercises to strenthen what ever area. The managers can be po-ed but they cannot make you work without modified work (ie. either deskwork/paperwork, or a buddy to do you lifting). We have ceiling lifts, other electric lifts and all sorts of sliding boards to help prevent back injury.
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Our school district has a "Healthy Holidays" program every year, the equivalent of a wellness program.
We weigh in before Thanksgiving (on a specific date) to start. You track points everyday by drinking water, eating fruits and veggies, working out, and not eating anything containing high fructose corn syrup for at least one day a week. There are days once a week that the school nurse (or yourself) weighs in and marks your weight. We just track on a paper and turn it in at the end of the holiday (After New Year's).
They give all the participants a nice pair of socks (gold toe). Prizes are gift certificates, free gym membership, hand weights, camel backs (the water packs), and other items like that.
The prizes are based on points as well as not gaining any weight or if you lost weight over the specified time period. They chose the holidays because that is when we all struggle to not gain weight.
It is a fun program. The district nurse started it and runs it in all the schools.
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| I work for a very small company that does an animal show at SeaWorld. unfortunately we don't have the room or money for a workout facility, but recently a few of us have started using our stage and theater as a gym. We run the stairs or we set up circuit training on the stage. Not everyone has joined in but those of us doing it feel much better throughout the day.
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SKINNYMINNIE25
7/9/06 9:54 A
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| This is very inspirational. I am a state employee as well with a small gym in our basement. We have an annual wellness program, but there are so many employees that it's pretty impersonal. I got a team tog this yr cuz they put teams in a drawing for time off. We didn't win :-( Anyway, there are folks in my area who are trying to loose weight, and then there's the monthly potluck that is just over the top w/high fat, low fiber, junk food. I am looked at as the "healthy one" because I bring my lunch and exercise daily. I like the idea of starting our own challenge. The more people we get involved, the more support there is for everyone. I'm going to talk to my boss. I'd love to lead it and I think I'd get some takers, esp if there's a chance to win $$$. Thanks SP for your continued inspiration. Skinny
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That sounds great- "Basically they figure that if the employees are healthier (mind/body) then we are more apt to show up to work, be more efficent, and take less sick time."
Does your employer also ensure that you are not short staffed and not working excessive hours? Have they decreased work injuries?
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| My employer, a large teaching hospital, is actually really good at employee wellness stuff. We have gyms at all the campuses with locker rooms/showers; the fee is payroll decucted and reasonable. Also we have a corporate rate at a national chain gym. There is also weight watchers 10 week sessions at work. We just went 100% smoke free and the offer free smoking cessation counseling and medications. As well we also have access to off site counseling to address what ever issues we may need to address. Basically they figure that if the employees are healthier (mind/body) then we are more apt to show up to work, be more efficent, and take less sick time. Makes sense to me. I've recently used the corporate rate at the gym as a motivator. I actually found out about this site from a fellow yahoo message board. So far I love it.
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I think it's great for the company to provide incentives, means, resources, and opportunity for employee wellness, but beyond that, I really don't think it's the company's business. I heard of companies now that make it a requirement that their employees can't be smokers, even off-hours, in their own homes, etc.. I think that's way too excessive and definitely verges into the area of invasion of privacy. I've also heard of some companies that *require* employees to use the fitness room.
Providing the means and resources is wonderful, but when it crosses over "giving employees the oppotunity to be healthy" into "forcing health practices on employees", I just really feel it steps on human rights over our own bodies.
I want to be healthy, but I have to do it *my* way, in *my* time, and the manner I (and perhaps my doctor/trainer/etc...) feel is healthy and right for *me*. It's not just our bodies we're dealing with when it comes to health. It's our minds, our psyche, our spirituality, our soul, our personality, our WHOLE.
There are very few areas of my life that my employer and collagues have the right to venture.
I think it's best if companies keep it to *offering the opportunity* and nothing more.
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IMPULSIVEWUN
7/8/06 10:42 P
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| I work at a hospital and was so excited when we got hooked up with sparkpeople. It has been the best thing for me. Anyway...... they do offer incentives such as $25 gift certificate or reduction of insurance premiums each quarter for those of us signed up with this. There is also an exercise track and machines. I do not like working out at work, but they are available. :)
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MAERSKOILBABE
7/8/06 9:36 P
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Hey, I agree...it sounds too good to be true...doesnt it...i wanna go there too....wonder if there is a downside...
the company that rewards workouts with gift certificates doesnt sound too bad either. Hoorah for all the companies moving in the right direction...we must do our part to support these concepts and show our employers and colleagues how well it works!! MOB
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Wow that sounds like a great company...Were do I aply...LOL 
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I work for a large energy company that really believes in employee health and wellness.
We have a nurse who helps us with any injuries, illness, and fitness/nutrition objectives.
She gave me the best advice I've gotten - this website!
We also have a gym in the building. It isn't huge, but it's big enough to work out at lunch and after work, and it's only a few dollars per pay to opt in.
Staffing and classes are provided by the YMCA.
For those who need a more full-service gym, the company reimburses yearly fees.
We have "weight-off" programs and competitions - part of the proceeds go to charity and the winners get the rest.
The cafeteria has a salad and sandwich bar as an alternative to the grill and kitchen fare.
We have free health and counselling sites for employees, and all usage is completely confidential.
I can't imagine that there are very many things that could be added to what we've been offered already!
The biggest hurdle - we are also a very charity-minded organization - that means bake sales!
Some of us are beginning to offer alternatives; I and some others have cooked and shared some low-cal alternatives, and I am seeing more of that now.
Good luck with your research!
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OLDERHPFAN
7/8/06 12:43 P
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My organization is a non-profit and we are using this as a part of our wellness program. I have been on here since March and we just rolled the program out in July.
If it was not free, we wouldn't be able to use it so I am very happy with it and so far the employees love it.
It is always tough to get more people to participate, but I am hoping this year goes great so we have more people involved next year.
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Where my DH works they log workout hours for each quarter. There are several levels. The first level (I think 30 hours) you get a $10.00 gift card to Target. The 2nd level (I think 60 hours) you get the target gift card and a $20.00 gift card to a local restuarant. He runs 5 miles a day at work so he always hits the 2nd level. Of course it helps that they have a full workout facility with showers. I think more companies should have at least showers.
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| I work for a company that has really tried to help employee wellness. They have a weight watchers group and actually pay for your first 10 weeks when you start. cholesterol screenings, flu shots, gym discounts, softball teams, weight loss challenges, healthy meals brought in about once a week, plus! I feel very lucky to be part of this organization.
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BELLYDANCEHAPPY
7/8/06 3:31 A
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Hi,
The large retail bookstore chain (I'll let you guess as to which one) that I work for has a few very confusing links on the full timer insurance web site but unless you are willing to spend hours upon hours finding something, it isn't any information that is really worth pursuing. Unfortunately I have to agree with a previous comment that they are certainly not working toward helping a healthy lifestyle with crazy schedule and overworked/overstressed employees- The only goo thing I can say about working at the bookstore is that you have a ton of resources avalible in the health & fitness areas.
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My company has a good wellness program. They have a weight watchers group, bring in Pilates and yoga instructors, have free lunch sessions where they bring in speakers to talk about various health topics and they pay 50% of any gym memberships or fitness classes to a maximum of $300 per year. And, our building has a free gym - it's small but has most of the equipment.
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MONEY!
Our place of employment started their own health incentive. All the employees who wanted to participate put in 5 dollars. The top loser gets 75% of the money and 2nd and third split the rest. Each week the nurse in charge gives us a new challenge every week. She is also the one who weighs us weekly.
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MAERSKOILBABE
7/7/06 8:57 P
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| It is not easy to push this matter, but times are changin and anything is possible! Remember that recently the World Health Organization decided it wouldnt be wise to hire peeps who smoke!! See, things are moving in the right direction!! Keep pushing!
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I am from Canada and I can't imagine not having health care insurance. I just know that without health insurance, I would be so scared as I got older.
I think that there is enough health issues to worry about as you get older without having to worry about how you are going to pay for them too.
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SOKRFAMILIA
7/7/06 7:29 P
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I am going to check with HR. They might go for it. One thing that is strange about this with them. I work for a cigarette distribution center. Unlike most companies, we are allowed to smoke at work.
But I will check with them anyways.
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ALLIGATORSHEL
7/7/06 7:25 P
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| I do not work for a union company. I am in the office, not the warehouse, and we are exempt employees, mostly.
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CAROLLYNN007
7/7/06 3:52 P
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I would like to see more promotional items in SparkPeople as prizes/rewards for independent members and especially employee wellness. The T-Shirts are actually nice if inappropriate for the office.
1. Perhaps Jackets, Waterbottles, pens, ankle weights, resistance bands, Computer things...Mouse pads, screne savers, wallpapers..etc
2. To have participation of Spark be a part of salery increase. A section of the Co.'s employee evalution and review for spark points.
3. An Individual discount on Health Insurance.
4. A paid extra day off (or just an hour that can be accumulated) added to vacation and/or personal time
5. A Co. paid healthy lunch and extra hour out to eat it(option to use/bank the time.)
6. An hour off and a Co. paid pass to a gym.
7. Use the the message boards of the SP site for company groups in competition...not just for spark points but in physical activities or sports and the higher the spark points the greater the choice at accepting/declining rank or responsibility in organizing? LOL ok thats work but LOL If ya got 4 different Companies or branches/offices within a 25 mile area...they could compete in softball games totally self organized but use the SparkPeople site as publication and spark points award authority.
I'm Just trying to help out
Persoannly I feel if the government should make health 'insurance' mandatory for employers to provide to employees...I think it is an obvious and logical money saving move for companies to make general HEALTH a higher issue. The government should set in place Tax shelters and discounts, for said companies to provide the means of achieving a healthy lifestyle for their employees. Employers to fasilitte continued top notch performances as well as lower overall medical costs. Thats just my opinion.
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MELISSAC304
7/7/06 2:28 P
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I could use some ideas for prizes for my company's wellness program. I'm the facilitator and we were going to do them for the most SparkPoints at the 6 or 12 month mark.
What things are your companies doing if they are doing prizes?
Melissa
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| How to get a wellness program at work? If you have a union, put in a proposal at contract time and have your bargaining committee negotiate the appropriate language.
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ALLIGATORSHEL
7/7/06 12:57 P
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| I work for a distribution center for a Japanese tractor company. We do have an exercise room, which I try to utilize, but nothing else. I know that a lot of people would be interested in a wellness program, but our HR/Facilites person who would probably run the thing is leaving this month. I would not know how to go about getting one started. And ideas?
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I would like to see a wellness program by employers that also recognizes the impact of shiftwork on employess health. In addition I would like to see employers concerned about a wellness program include some type of support around issues of work overload and ever increasing hours of work that is happening to many of us. At a former workplace of mine, in 1987, the employer had a park and jogging track developed at the back of our workplace. That was great, but of course it did nothing about the pace of work. At my workplace today we have an annual membership to a gym paid every year if we want it.
I am very glad we have that- the problem is finding the time from work to be able to particpate regularly.
Losing weight is important but so is having less RSI, back injuries, imsomnia etc. Health care workers in North America are unfortunately amongst the highest in statistics for work injuries for example. I will give employers more credit when they support their employess in a wellness program that recognizes all these issues. In the meantime I will do what I can control myself.
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ADRIENNEVH
7/7/06 12:30 P
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| I work for a school district and they have done a pretty good job with our wellness program, we have weight watcher groups, awesome discounts to a nationl chain gym, signs all over the administration building to "Stay well, take the stairwell." I have forwarded the sparkpeople info to our coordinator and hopefully we can get on board.
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| I am a nurse at a company and we do a few things to promote wellness. We have a walking path & a b-ball court (some of our larger sites have a work out facility and classes). We have health fairs. We also offer flu shots.
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| The small company I work for doesn't have anything material-wise to encourage health and well-being, but the owner of the business is the first to promote exercise by example as well as word of mouth. The bug seems to have spread and now, several of my coworkers and I go walking on our lunchbreak and are taking a work out class together one night a week. I would say it has not only promoted health practices, but a strong feeling of camaraderie among us!
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| A couple of us have encouraged coworkers to look at SparkPeople as we think it's a fantastic resource. However, the people who would benefit most are the ones who are the least interested. If we have company health insurance, we can get a discount on select health club memberships, but for people like me who are insured on a spouse's policy, the company offers no incentives toward a healthy lifestyle. I believe the company could go a long way toward reducing health insurance costs if they were more proactive in promoting healthy nutrition and exercise for employees.
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| I work at a large place, there is a gym (for a fee) in the basement, a sign aroun the buildings letting you know walking distance, and occasional lectures on health related topics. I think welness if encouraged and information available, but as with all things, you notice it when you are ready for it, and not so much when you aren't (and maybe need it the most).
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| Our company doesn't do much, but we are now in a "Biggest Loser" challenge that the employee health dept started, it goes 8 weeks, weigh in every week, post biggest losers names for that week (not actual weights thankfully!), get prizes, receive little things at each weigh in (recipes, water, fruit, etc.) It seems to be a good incentive for most of us in it!--Gina
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DEBBIWITHANI
7/7/06 8:57 A
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we have one but i dont know what it is I know they have a gym but i go to the local YMCA
I have told lots of people about SP. debbi
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| Don't know if the company I work for has a wellness program but this article has provoked me to check into it. Thanks!
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| I joined SP through my employer's wellness program. Am soooo truly grateful!
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| I know the prizes at the end are quite an incentive for most people. I am hoping the prizes offered at my hospital increase participation.
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My company is also a teaching hospital. They have much the same thing but have students screen patients twice a year for glucose, weight, BMI, cholesterol, bone density, etc.
The thing that gets people to set goals and get screened is the prize at the end. You get giftcards if you meet your goals and other prizes. People wouldn't do it otherwise I don't think. Maybe the free cholesterol screening is worth it to some. They hate BMI the most!
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| I think this is an awesome idea. I might float it by some coworkers and see what they think!
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BETTEDAVIS
7/6/06 10:03 P
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| My company is a hospital. We have welness programs such as we can work out at our welness centers on the main campus as well as our satellite locations. For me the hours are awful though. Also they have memberships with extended benefits ( you must pay for those ). Another is is that we join a group that you track points for activities and checkups with them and your doctor. You get crtain prizes for this. BTW, we have a contest where you join a group, you compete on the most weight loss also for prizes.
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MICHELE947
7/6/06 10:02 P
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| i work at a great company... We are starting a walking challenge, it is going to be once a week for 12 weeks. then at the end we are doing a 5k. The company hired a trainer to help us. it is also for charity. ;-)
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WANNABFIT_47
7/6/06 9:32 P
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I saw the tab today and was talking about it at work. A few people were actually interested. I work at a grocery store and mgmt and their newsletters talk a good game about obesity & wanting their employees to take care of themselves but it pretty much stops there. All talk,no action...
But I also work p/t at a larger corp. & they very much encourage it. A full gym in the basement with a running track, and the cafeteria has reduced the amount of fried foods in favor of healthier ones.
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| The hospital I work for is trying to be healthy again. 10,000 step challenge which I am going to sign up for. Problem being I work steady nights and all the sign up times are for daylight employees. Pretty inconvienient for me. I have encouraged a few people to join sparkpeople but I only know of 1 who actually did.
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| I work at a community college and they are always encouraging wellness. We have the Fitness and wellness Center, which is a full gym that gives us membership discounts on single and family rates. The college offers a credit programs in massage therapy and complimentary health care. This means that employees often get things like discounted massages so students can do their practicum. Just today, we received an email that they are going to do a meditation session next week. So they do encourage a lot of wellness projects. Unfortunately, we could not do the weight watchers thing either because of the money and commitment. But, I have forwarded the SparkAmerica information to our HR department and our health and wellness office (nurse's office) and they are going to bring it forward to the professional development committee in September. (Nothing happens in the summer since half the school is gone.) And I'll be right their pushing for it!!!! Hopefully by then I'll have lost even more weight and will be a live advertisement for SP.
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Ironically, I work at a pretty chubby company, but these things never seem to go over very well.
We tried to get a weight-watchers group and couldn't get 20 people out of 120 to sign up.
we tried to do a 10,000 step a day thing - very few participated.
I thought about suggesting a spark team, since I love this site, but I'm afraid, no one else would join.
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MELISSAC304
7/6/06 3:15 P
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My company just started a Team using SparkPeople and have incorporated it into a wellness plan as well. We had a lot of great feedback about the site already.
We don't have all employees signed up, but I anticipate getting a lot more in the months to come.
Great program!
Melissa
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I joined SP through the encouragement of my employer also.
However, I just started a weekly challenge in my department. I made a little grid with our names on it and the days of the week. I'll pick a challenge like "get 8 glasses of water every day" or "do 3 strength training exercises while you're at work" and each day that you do it, you initial in the box. The posters are posted on the lounge bulletin board, so we're motivated/challenged by other ppl's progress. Not everyone around here uses SP, so it's a good way that I can take my SP knowledge and get others involved!
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| My company only cares about employee wellness as it impacts their bottom line. Don't get sick and call in.
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We have a wellness center in the basement of our building that is available to all state employees. Other than that our department does not do anything to promote a healthy lifestyle.
However the wellness center is great! I think the most important thing about it is that it has fostered a community. TThe wellness cetner also offers monthly challenges - we jsut finished the crunch/push up challenge, prizes were given for various levels of completion (total done at the end of the month). This summer we have a lose it or pay challenge to lose between 12-24 lbs by the end of september, if you lose it you split the pot with the other losers.
I guess I don't really want my company involved in my health (telling me to go and workout), but I do want them to be flexible if my yoga class is at a certain time, I want to be able to move my schedule so I can breathe and relax for an hour!
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PEPPERMINT06
7/6/06 2:04 P
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All -
I found spark people through my company's employee wellness program and I'm so happy and grateful.
By offering these types of programs, it demonstrates a level of caring by my company. I know it's good for the company's interests to have healthy employees, but the fact that programs like these are offered and encouraged is great.
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SPARK_COACH_JEN
7/5/06 3:47 P
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Hi Everyone!
We have a new program at SparkPeople that just launched today! If you
want to learn more, click on the SparkPoints tab and then go to Employee
Wellness or just click here.
As we get this program started, we're interested in how you feel about
Employee wellness and your company's involvement with it. Is it important
for you company to be actively involved with your health? Is it important
to share your fitness and health experiences with your co-workers?
Please feel free to post your thoughts here. David, one of our newer
SparkPeople employees, will be monitoring this thread and will provide the
answers to any questions you may have.
Thanks in advance for your participation!
Coach Jen
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