Employers and employees across the country share the benefits they are experiencing from their workplace wellness programs.

Ensuring employees stay healthy in the workplace is a big priority for The American Diabetes Association (ADA). The Alexandria, Virginia-based non-profit has employed a rich mix of long- and short-term wellness initiatives that embrace nutrition, weight control and physical activity, and fully reimburses employees for such extra benefits to help them stay fit and healthy.    READ MORE

American Diabetes Association

“I have always struggled with my weight. Like most people I made the regular excuses about exercise and eating right. I was always going to start tomorrow. In August of 2009 I joined my company’s wellness program. It is the best thing I could have done for myself. Since I have joined I have lost 26 pounds and continue to lose at a healthy pace. This program challenges me to always try to do better than the day before. I look forward to exercise now and even find myself craving it.”

Lisa Hess,
Memphis, TN

In 2009, Memphis-based First Horizon National Corporation, a leading financial services company and Fortune Magazine “Best Places to Work” recipient, was on the hunt for new benefits that would enhance employees’ work-life and the company’s overall culture.    READ MORE

First Horizon National Corporation

“In June of 2009, I had my normal checkup with my doctor. The year before, my blood pressure was high and I was dreading the outcome of this appointment. My doctor had said medication was needed if it did not lower. He checked my blood pressure and was pleasantly surprised. It was significantly lower. My doctor asked what I had been doing, so I explained the wellness program and told him how I had started walking or riding a bike instead of sitting on the couch. It’s been over a year and I thank my employer for starting such a great program.”

Mark Petersman,
Cincinnati, OH

As one of the world’s largest and most prestigious manufacturers of exercise equipment, the very name of Utah-based ICON Health & Fitness alone denotes a workplace culture focused on wellness. In fact, ICON was an early pioneer of and advocate for the value of employee wellness. READ MORE

ICON Health & Fitness

“My husband and I had gotten pretty sedentary right after we were married in May 2008. His company had a wellness program and all the things I heard about it were good and fun, so I told him that he must join. Then in January 2009, my company joined the same program. We now lead a more active life and get moving rather than sitting around the house doing nothing. Our wellness programs have been our motivation and will continue to be for a long time.”

Rochelle Hans,
San Antonio, TX

“It became crystal clear that our firm was not going to be in a good position down the road if our employees didn’t start taking better care of themselves,” said Victoria Seligmiller, Benefits Administrator at Michael Best. “So we went on the offensive, and made finding a wellness program that would motivate our employees to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles a top priority.”   READ MORE

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

“Just a year after the point where I could barely run one mile, I finished my first marathon. And the cholesterol? It dropped down from 240 to 118, and for the first time in my life my ‘good cholesterol’ has outpaced the ‘bad cholesterol.’ And as a bonus, my doctor is scaling back my medication. If things keep going the way they are, I may be able to get off the medication all together.”

Walter Cahall,
Beaverton, OR

In 2008, global consumer packaging giant MeadWestvaco (MWV) faced a dilemma within its workforce that directly impacted its healthcare costs. A company assessment of healthcare claims revealed that 35% of the population had a disease condition that was preventable.    READ MORE

MWV

“Recently I participated in a 5K walk and a 7K walk/run. I never would have thought about participating in these types of events prior to my enrollment in my company’s wellness program. In the past 15 months I have lost some unwanted weight, due to my increased activity. The more I walk, the better I feel. The better I feel, the better I eat. In addition to modifying my eating habits I’ve also modified my driving habits. Whenever possible, I walk to an appointment rather than drive. The program has had a substantial impact on my lifestyle and overall health.”

Sandy Neukam,
Evansville, IN

As Ochsner Health System, an academic, non-profit integrated healthcare system comprised of eight hospitals and 35 clinics located throughout Louisiana, continued to grow and expand, so did its healthcare costs. The company recognized that a more integrated and accessible employee health program was needed to replace its home-grown, manual-based wellness program.    READ MORE

Ochsner Health System

“I have taken a more active role in my health and fitness. It helps to have me accountable to my friends and to myself. If there is on piece of advice that I could offer is be accountable to someone – a coworker, a friend, your spouse, your children. You need to have a coworker or friend ask you everyday ‘have you worked out?’ or ‘have you walked today?’ Being accountable to someone or to yourself will do wonders for the steps on your pedometer and for your health.”

Mary Thompson,
Symsonia, KY

To say Protective Life is no stranger to wellness programs would be an understatement. The Birmingham-AL based insurance company’s focus on wellness started a good 25 years before today’s healthcare reform talks. The company had implemented numerous comprehensive programs spanning from nutrition and fitness programs, to healthy living classes, and healthcare cost increases had remained below national trends for more than two decades.    READ MORE

Protective Life