Comments on: Wellness: Winning the battle of the bulge

By: djc

djc — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:31:15 +0000

We are located next to a beautiful bike path, park and small shopping center. I am considering purchasing some used bicycles to have on hand for employee’s to use during their meal breaks. We would require a waiver from liability for general protection and require the employee be “off the clock” for protection from workers’ comp claims. Under no circumstances would the bikes be allowed to be used as work related transportation.

I was wondering if anyone else had a program of this type, and if so, what rules and protection were put in place. Any comments on the success or failure of your program would also be appreciated.

Thanks for your input.

djc

PS: I really like the idea of a “biggest loser” contest. It is something I would also consider.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:56:30 +0000

Thanks, KD. I really appreciate your suggestions. We also have to work around our State’s Ethics Laws which means we cannot accept donations from vendors or anyone who does business in our City or who may do future business – the laws are very strict for this State. However we could do the “win the pot” for those who wish to participate. I like the idea of using the vendors more for our lunch & learns. Again, thanks for the great ideas!

By: KD

KD — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:39:01 +0000

Our budget is tight, too, so we got a lot of prizes donated: Our medical insurance group donated a Biggest Loser basket with a lot of nice gifts in it for the winner. They also donated pedometers for our participants. Our benefits broker donated a $100 spa gift card and a few lunch coolers for smaller prize drawings. Our company put in a $100 gas card. We also did a Biggest Loser “pot” -any participant who was interested would put in $1 per week. The biggest loser (who donated to the pot) would get the money at the end. We also are doing some health and nutrition lunch and learns along the way to keep everyone motivated and on target. Our worker’s comp clinic provides free blood pressure screenings and will arrange for a nurse or nutritionist to speak. We get 6 hours of free training annually from our medical insurance group and we are doing sessions on stress, nutrition, etc. The best way to do this contest on a shoestring budget is to not be shy- ask your medical insurance group or any other vendors you use frequently to donate prizes and or training time- most of them have logo products they will be able to donate (like the pedometers or lunch boxes). Some may be able to donate gift cards. It’s in the best interest of your medical insurer to support this effort because in the end employees will be healthier and their claims will go down. Good luck! I hope your contest goes well! Our group is up to 150 pounds lost total, now.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:21:16 +0000

KD, I’m interested in your biggest loser contest. How do you work this contest – i.e. do they when money at the end? We are discussing a similar contest, but because we are a municipality, we have to limit the dollars involved. Thanks for your help.

By: KD

KD — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:56:59 +0000

Our company is doing a biggest loser contest. It is totally voluntary, but we had 20% of our workforce sign up and stick with it. We are in week 8 now. We meet weekly for support and to talk about various health-related topics.Weigh-ins are private and confidential. As a company,we’ve lost 115 pounds to date (23 active participants). Even people not in the biggest loser are catching on. We’ve seen an increase in people bringing their lunch to work instead of going out (I’m sure the economy has a lot to do with that, too). People are walking before work and at lunch (we have a walking path in our business complex). I think it’s successful partly because people are inspired by each other and because we keep it real. It’s judgement-free and encouraging. We’ve even decided to extend the program an extra 6 weeks because everyone felt like 12 weeks wasn’t long enough.

By: Carole

Carole — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:50:55 +0000

We have started the wellness program with a challenge. The top person receives a healthy gift pack, and the branch with the top average steps get a helathy lunch! We have combined this with March of Dimes Walk a thon, and Relay for life events. It has had great response – some people are always goping to exagerrate, that’s just part of it. We a fitness instructor come out and demonstrate some Yoga type stretches and excercises you can do while working and it is amazing to see how many employees are actually doing some of the routines when you walk by there office or go in their branch!

By: HO

HO — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:31:01 +0000

How about teams and you could assign a timekeeper who you feel would be the most honest.

By: JH

JH — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:24:09 +0000

I try to sponsor an exercise activity a couple of times each year. I have learned that most people don’t like wearing pedometers. So I tried a program where each employee tracks minutes of activity. I discovered that some people exaggerate, a lot. But it is worth it since most participants want to improve health. Any ideas on keeping people honest? Thanks