In today’s business environment, the health of staff is usually related to the health of the business. Improved job satisfaction, improved morale, reduced disease and injuries, and increased productivity are just some of the advantages of having healthy staff.
Marketing health in your worksite does not have to be complicated, costly or time-consuming. Any business, large or small, can promote healthful eating and active living in the worksite. Here are some suggestions –
Healthy Eating
• For breakfast meetings, instead of serving donuts, big muffins, cookies, tea and coffee with cream and sugar, offer healthier alternatives such as bagels, small muffins, fresh fruit, water, 100% fruit juice and milk with coffee and tea.
• For lunch meetings, avoid serving chips, fried foods, rich pastas, and salads loaded with dressing. Instead, offer sandwiches, bagels, whole grain low fat crackers and cheese, 100 % fruit juice, water, salads with dressing on the side, vegetable and fruit trays.
• Reimburse employees for items purchased to improve their health (e.g. healthful consuming cookbooks, consultation with a Registered Dietitian).
• Arrange for the cafeteria or food providers to offer healthful food choices.
• Arrange to have healthful choices like bottled water, 100% fruit juice, fruit bars, and raisins available in vending machines.
• Provide a means for individuals to share healthful recipes with each other (for example, posting recipes on the Intranet, on posters or by e-mail).
Active Living
• Plan events and group activities to encourage staff to become active, such as walking programs, contests and challenge events, stretch breaks, team sports or participation in local or provincial events.
• Provide on-site health experts (e.g. fitness trainers, fitness instructors) or incorporate this service in staff member assistance programs to help workforce work towards physical activity goals.
• Provide a supportive environment in the worksite that makes healthful options easy – bicycle racks, shower facilities, clean, safe and accessible stairwells, walking or running routes nearby the worksite, and fitness center facilities.
• Allow for flex time so that staff members have more opportunities to take part in exercise programs as part of their working day.
• Reimburse personnel for full or partial club membership fees, fitness class registrations, and fitness equipment buys.
• Give corporate fitness center memberships to reduce costs of individual memberships.
Keeping It Fresh!
Find a champion to –
• Organize lunch “n learn sessions to provide information and motivation for healthy consuming and active living.
• Invite demonstrators to provide cooking lessons or tips for making healthful foods.
• Post a rotating list in a common room of local restaurants that offer healthy food options on their menus.
• Distribute information to educate personnel on portion sizes.
• Include physical activity and nutrition information in newsletters, pay check inserts, bulletin boards or e-mails.
• Plan activities that promote healthy consuming and physical activity. for instance, start a year-round lunch-time walking club, and special activities
