What kinds of incentives can a company offer at little or no cost?
A walking club is a simple way to encourage employees to begin exercising. Employers can also create a points system based on healthy behaviors. For example, an employee could earn points for each day that they don’t smoke, for the number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten each day, for maintaining a healthy weight or for participating in a physical activity. Employees can then trade points earned for small prizes, such as T-shirts, pens or water bottles, or an employer can offer perks such as an extra vacation day. Recognition in the company newsletter or small monetary bonuses can also be effective incentives.
How can employers help create a more healthy workplace for employees?
Employers can do simple things, such as making healthy choices available in the company’s cafeterias and vending machines. While they may still offer french fries so that employees have a choice, they can also add more vegetable choices to the menu. To encourage employees to eat healthier, the employer could charge less for the healthy choice and more for the less healthy choice.
Creating a smoke-free workplace is another option, making it inconvenient for employees to smoke during the workday.
And finally, promoting competitions such as a weight loss contest or tracking who is the most active over a period of time can create a sense of camaraderie among employees. The employer benefits not only by having more healthy employees but also by creating a team spirit among its workers.
MARTY HAUSER is the president of SummaCare, Inc., a provider-owned health plan located in Akron, Ohio. SummaCare offers a full line of health plans and ancillary products. Through its extensive network of more than 7,000 providers and more than 50 hospitals, SummaCare offers coverage to more than 115,000 members throughout northern Ohio. Reach him at [email protected].