Employee Wellness Program - need input

[Oakie]

One of my deliverables at work this year is to create a Wellness Program for our employees. Any constructive suggestions as to what is good and what is not in such a thing would be appreciated.

We are a not-for-profit so don't have a big bucket of money. Already discarded the standard gym memberships because of the cost.

Some thoughts:

Skin cancer screening
Sleep support
Meditation / mindfulness
flu vaccinations (done that for years anyway)
yoga / pilates introduction (not a full course, just a sampler)
Stop Smoking program
Masturbating for fitness ... (yeah OK, I made that one up)

Our staff demographic is wide. 75% female, age ranges from 20 through to 72 ... average about 50, probably 10 different nationalities represented.

Any suggestions on what to do or not to do? Oh, I don't need to hear if you thing Wellness is a load of wank. It's something I have to do regardless of what people think so anti-Wellness thoughts are immaterial.

And yes, the biggest Wellness thing for me is twice a day I get to ride my bike. (hmm, perhaps I can swing a petrol subsidy under 'Wellness'.)

[Gremlin]

A client has subsidised gym memberships (not entirely paid), also periodic massages, where people can book slots?

Also, an owner has a young dog the staff have nicknamed their wellness dog, and she does the rounds for affection.

Our boss has a very young pup, and one engineer has tried to buy popularity with chicken at lunchtime. Only problem is she's a very close shade to the carpet, so can be easily missed.

[Voltaire]

Breakfasts with Moet.
We have all that at work, but most of the guys think its a load of wank.
Nominate an employee who made a difference program
They had a bring you pet to work day but that was a bit of nightmare from a cleaning perspective.
I too have two sessions most days, the ride too and from the office, and chat to the CEO who rides a Harley.

[Woodman]

For $20 you can buy 3 bottles of cheap wine which should keep a couple of people happy for a few hours, but seriously its a hard one cos lots of employees are wary of "programs/ initiatives". Do something that makes them laugh, have fun, keep it casual.

[GazzaH]

Definitely think about mental wellbeing. De-stressing generally and support for those who need it (but might not know it). Chill out zones maybe, and 'days off in lieu' for people who have been working too hard.

Well organised 'team building' events can be fantastic safety valves and great fun. Loads of possibilities there.

I met a senior IT manageress once who said she ran 'junkyard wars' every so often for her department - like the TV show but for real. I wanted to marry her there and then but she was taken, and so was I.

[Oakie]

Definitely think about mental wellbeing. De-stressing generally and support for those who need it (but might not know it). Chill out zones maybe, and 'days off in lieu' for people who have been working too hard. .

Mental wellbeing and stress is in forefront of my mind as I've had some issues myself over the past 15 months or so (work related anxiety). Sucks big time! Feeling good today though.

[Blackbird]

Get some perspective by contacting your local Employers and Manufacturers Association. They should have access to best practice examples.

[Akzle]

hookers for lunch.
pants-optional thursdays.
minimum blood-alcohol content to attend meetings.
(pork) spit roast fridays.
bring your kids to work and hit someone elses for a change.
wife swap.
hannukah.
secret satan (not a typo).
issue everyone firearms.
forward chain-emails.
discuss the benefits of accepting jesus christ as your lord and saviour. start a "fortunately-unfortunately"
play hackey sack at lunch.
reefer vending machines.


vote akzle.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Masturbating for fitness ... (yeah OK, I made that one up)


I've been doing that for years and yet am still unfit. Clearly not working....


Do you have room anywhere for a heavy bag and a couple pairs of boxing gloves... that does wonders for my wellnesses

[HenryDorsetCase]

My work presently is the best work I have ever had.

We all go out for lunch of a Friday (no alcohol) and have after work drinks if anyone wants them on Friday. The key is the attitude of the senior staff. Of which I are one. We try and keep it relaxed and positive. There are a lot of downsides to sharing an office but one of the upsides is approachability and a level playing field. We are not hierarchical at all in terms of yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir. Its just some of us have more responsibility than others because we have been shovelling shit for longer.

[jellywrestler]

three bags full sir. you used to be able to get a job at a circus with that deformity, probably not pc to have one of those circuses now though.

[eldog]

I worked for a company once that offered 3 free counselling sessions with this counselling company but it was a waste of the company's money as the counselling company were not interested in work related problems only out of work problems.

Any sexual problems?



i just Cannane remember that TV program where that was spoken.

just maybe it was for out of work problems that affected the workflow.
like riding in a group....
working with others
adjusting and understanding other viewpoints.

most problems outside work are usually
family
money
mental-in your head
the green eyed monster

[AllanB]

I've been doing that for years and yet am still unfit.


Seriously you need to pull your weight around the place .....

[TheDemonLord]

A couple of companies I've been involved with have run a lunchtime bootcamp/crossfit/excercise thing - where they get a personal trainer to come in at lunch, and they go out to the carpark and do various exercises.

[AllanB]

We have:

Free eye tests,
Subsidized glasses/contacts (up to $100 from the company)
Annual health check if you want one - pretty basic - blood pressure, weight etc
Flu jabs pre Winter.
They have jacked up a discounted fuel card with BP
Discount at Noel Leemings (cost plus 10%)

Currently running a fitness/weight loss contest and supplied a PT for a couple of weekly sessions.

And they have a confidential support company you can go to if you find yourself standing on the train track at lunchtime (high stress job).

If you can fund the eye tests (Spec Savers will do you a company deal) it's appreciated by the team, ditto flu shots.

[eldog]

Each place I have worked at all had different ways of getting people well motivated.
it was always the type of people and the available environment.

some got involved in inter company games such as soccer at lunchtime, others organised family days, some sponsored something that a group desired. Others met after work for team sports event like social cricket or summer social soccer.
otgers organise group/team building exercises or day trips.

its highly reliant on the types of people and what they have going on in their lives.
most people spend a lot of their time at work thinking about what they are doing after work.

If it’s educational fully funded, sports/exercise it should be partially funded by work, otherwise people tend to forget.

[Woodman]

I worked for a company once that offered 3 free counselling sessions with this counselling company but it was a waste of the company's money as the counselling company were not interested in work related problems only out of work problems.

How is that a waste of the companys money? The counselling is there to offer employees counselling* not solve work problems.

*Also adds value to wage/salary package.

[TheDemonLord]

How is that a waste of the companys money? The counselling is there to offer employees counselling* not solve work problems.

*Also adds value to wage/salary package.

I guess Counselling is like Rider training?

[Coldrider]

We had a dietician come in and explain what different foods and liquids do to your body, what is healthy food and correct proportions. Another episode a nurse advised us on the early signs of different cancers, and known causes of, and yet another episode with a gym instructor demonstrating core fitness exercises for everyone regardless of age. The core fitness part was commented by most as being really good. (plus she was hot).

[jellywrestler]

A couple of companies I've been involved with have run a lunchtime bootcamp/crossfit/excercise thing - where they get a personal trainer to come in at lunch, and they go out to the carpark and do various exercises.

so then they all smell like a nuns ferret afterwards?

[JimO]

employee wellness ......dont they get paid every week?

[Woodman]

employee wellness ......dont they get paid every week?

Offering an employee wellness program as an added value instead of more pay can save shitloads in salaries and wages.

[Jeeper]

There is more to an emplyee's well being than just a pay. Being a non-profit, chances are employees were not attracted by just the pay to work. I believe companies like Southern Cross and Sovereign insurance offer programs for employers that you could adopt. Have a chat with them, may be they can support a good non-profit organization.

[TheDemonLord]

so then they all smell like a nuns ferret afterwards?

Haha - no, those that partake bring a set of Gym clothes and the 2 companies that ran it had Showers.

[jellywrestler]

nobodies mentioned offering bikini waxes, it's amazing how much better i fell when i see a stench trench without ghastly pubic sideburns hanging out the sides.

[HenryDorsetCase]

A couple of companies I've been involved with have run a lunchtime bootcamp/crossfit/excercise thing - where they get a personal trainer to come in at lunch, and they go out to the carpark and do various exercises.

You need showers.

[HenryDorsetCase]

nobodies mentioned offering bikini waxes, it's amazing how much better i fell when i see a stench trench without ghastly pubic sideburns hanging out the sides.

Brilliant idea - offered to anyone who wants it, and the co-workers get the chance to watch. Its a win win.

Actually if you want a giggle, on youtube there are videos of people getting it done - its PG, just the reaction shots - freakin hilarious.

One thing we did for employee wellness last year was pay out a decent chunky Xmas bonus... so there was that. Money talks yo!

[Grumph]

We are a not-for-profit so don't have a big bucket of money. Already discarded the standard gym memberships because of the cost.

Our staff demographic is wide. 75% female, age ranges from 20 through to 72 ... average about 50, probably 10 different nationalities represented.



There is more to an emplyee's well being than just a pay. Being a non-profit, chances are employees were not attracted by just the pay to work. I believe companies like Southern Cross and Sovereign insurance offer programs for employers that you could adopt. Have a chat with them, may be they can support a good non-profit organization.

Yes, This.





nobodies mentioned offering bikini waxes, it's amazing how much better i fell when i see a stench trench without ghastly pubic sideburns hanging out the sides.

Given the age range, Hell, no.


If this is one of your deliverables, does a bonus rely on your accomplishing this ? Just curious as in previous experience with this sort of shit, I found too much time was being wasted complying with the conditions which ensured a bonus and not enough effort on the actual job....

[EJK]

I've been doing that for years and yet am still unfit. Clearly not working....



<img src="https://i.imgur.com/x9dUvCu.jpg" />

[EJK]

One of my deliverables at work this year is to create a Wellness Program for our employees. Any constructive suggestions as to what is good and what is not in such a thing would be appreciated.

We are a not-for-profit so don't have a big bucket of money. Already discarded the standard gym memberships because of the cost.

Some thoughts:

Skin cancer screening
Sleep support
Meditation / mindfulness
flu vaccinations (done that for years anyway)
yoga / pilates introduction (not a full course, just a sampler)
Stop Smoking program
Masturbating for fitness ... (yeah OK, I made that one up)

Our staff demographic is wide. 75% female, age ranges from 20 through to 72 ... average about 50, probably 10 different nationalities represented.

Any suggestions on what to do or not to do? Oh, I don't need to hear if you thing Wellness is a load of wank. It's something I have to do regardless of what people think so anti-Wellness thoughts are immaterial.

And yes, the biggest Wellness thing for me is twice a day I get to ride my bike. (hmm, perhaps I can swing a petrol subsidy under 'Wellness'.)

*Encourage to take breaks and go for 10 min walk, or even to near by coffee shop. (we IT people hardly leave their seats, sometimes even during lunch)
*Fresh fruits in staff rooms.
*"Bike to work" breakfasts and free bike services. No, not motorbikes. I wish.
*Again, encourage regular breaks if they are not doing. Make excuses or drag them out of their seats if needed. Those breaks do make a health difference.

They don't cost you much, or at all. If you are already doing them then awesome!

[oldrider]

Wellness is primarily driven by feeling good about ones self, what one does, why they do it, how they do it, who they do it for or with - I.E. inclusiveness in purpose with responsibility for outcomes.

Participation and involvement in the purpose of business is generally infectious - people thrive on feeling needed and appreciated.

In that type of environment wellness should be self promoting. (just saying Oakie - good luck with it)

[Ocean1]

Offering an employee wellness program as an added value instead of more pay can save shitloads in salaries and wages.

I'll take the cash, thanks.

Even if the boss IS paying the FBT on whatever PC bullshit they eventually decide on.

[TerminalAddict]

https://www.lightwirebusiness.com/blog/staff-benefits-keep-aligned/

[jellywrestler]

my wellness is impoved when customers pay their bills, everything else is up to me

[JimO]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[far queue]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2giBAfDOGw

[Swoop]

Put in an underground range in the carpark.
Being able to put 50 rounds downrange through the day is a great relaxant.

[EJK]

Put in an underground range in the carpark.
Being able to put 50 rounds downrange through the day is a great relaxant.

With the boss standing at the other end, blindfolded?

[Oakie]

hookers for lunch.
pants-optional thursdays.
minimum blood-alcohol content to attend meetings.
(pork) spit roast fridays.
bring your kids to work and hit someone elses for a change.
wife swap.
hannukah.
secret satan (not a typo).
issue everyone firearms.
forward chain-emails.
discuss the benefits of accepting jesus christ as your lord and saviour. start a "fortunately-unfortunately"
play hackey sack at lunch.
reefer vending machines.
vote akzle.

Akz. Often you are a lady's front bum but sometimes ... as here ... you are a bloody delight!

[HenryDorsetCase]

I'll take the cash, thanks.

Even if the boss IS paying the FBT on whatever PC bullshit they eventually decide on.

Nah all that stuff would be straight up expensed - no FBT. Surely? I cant imagine any accountant worth his or her salt allowing FBT on the yoga mats and scented candles.

Ms EJK's point about getting people up off their arses is a really good one. We had a decent uptake in sit/stand desks a couple years ago. They are brilliant but a bit spendy... having said that: its office furniture: even an expensive one is under a grand nowadays.

[Oakie]

Didn't think I'd be laughing so much when I created this thread. Thanks guys. The laughs have improved my wellness ... and there are some bloody good ideas in there too.


Do you have room anywhere for a heavy bag and a couple pairs of boxing gloves... that does wonders for my wellnesses Probably do. I think we even have a staff member that knows a bit about boxing too


I worked for a company once that offered 3 free counselling sessions with this counselling company but it was a waste of the company's money as the counselling company were not interested in work related problems only out of work problems.. Bad counselling company then. I've used ours and they were really good.


A couple of companies I've been involved with have run a lunchtime bootcamp/crossfit/excercise thing - where they get a personal trainer to come in at lunch, and they go out to the carpark and do various exercises. Thought of something like that but more low impact to attract the oldies. Tai chi or summit like that. (Oldies? Jeez ... I just realised I'm probably one myself!)


We have:

Free eye tests, Annual health check if you want one - pretty basic - blood pressure, weight etc. If you can fund the eye tests (Spec Savers will do you a company deal) it's appreciated by the team, ditto flu shots. I think baseline medical testing will be important because of the age of many of our staff.


employee wellness ......dont they get paid every week? Yep. And if we improve their wellnessl we get more out of them for the money we have to pay them.


If this is one of your deliverables, does a bonus rely on your accomplishing this ? . Nah. Just means the boss will keep on paying me and not trade me in on a cheaper person with different skills


*Encourage to take breaks and go for 10 min walk, or even to near by coffee shop. (we IT people hardly leave their seats, sometimes even during lunch)
*Again, encourage regular breaks if they are not doing. Make excuses or drag them out of their seats if needed. Those breaks do make a health difference. Oakie looks down, shuffles his feet ... recognises that he has just been described. Actually while I eat at my desk, I have just started making a real effort to get out for a stroll around the block every afternoon.

Cheers for all the input. Some really good suggestions here and once again, the collective experience of KB has come to my aid. Feel free to continue with more ideas.

[husaberg]

I always find these a giggle not how much better dancers the honda plant worksers are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLbCVTW0O0c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxAdP-k0xfc

[Woodman]

Work problems can actually affect employees but if you are still at school you will yet find that out.

No kidding butt head.

[TheDemonLord]

Thought of something like that but more low impact to attract the oldies. Tai chi or summit like that. (Oldies? Jeez ... I just realised I'm probably one myself!)

So no paintball/Airsoft/Brazillian Ju-jitsu then?

[Ocean1]

Nah all that stuff would be straight up expensed - no FBT. Surely? I cant imagine any accountant worth his or her salt allowing FBT on the yoga mats and scented candles.

Short answer? Depends on how lucky you feel. In theory ANY benefit simply made available, (as opposed to actually paid) to any employee, (including contractors but not including nominal partners and shareholders) legally needs to be declared.

But my main aversion to the mollycoddling bullshit is the simple fact that I work for money, and the less the boss spends on shiny PC bullshit the more he can afford to pay me and the more time I have to earn that extra. And I can assure you the extra would be far more accurately spent on shit that I want, not what some pansy arsed HR consultant thinks I want.

[Ocean1]

So no paintball/Airsoft/Brazillian Ju-jitsu then?

I was working on site evaluating capital plant in a factory in KL when the Japanese senior management were pulled out at the end of a hand-over to new British owners.

Every single staff member had been doing 20 minutes of Tai Chi routine every morning for years, and the day after the change it stopped dead. No directives, no discussions, no consultations, just nah fuck that shit. :yawn:

[Ulsterkiwi]

Groups like the Cancer Society and Heart Foundation would be only too pleased to run information workshops for your people, they have health promotion peeps just waiting for opportunities to do so. I have links to the cancer society because of my work, have done workshops on their behalf for different employers and it was pretty straightforward to adapt the info provided to relate well to the folks in the room. Something we did as Work colleagues was complete a volunteer task as a team, in our case we fed all the parents living in Ronald MacDonald House for a day. Sometimes wellness comes from giving not receiving, perhaps as a not for profit your folks are doing that all the time anyway?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Swoop]

Oakie looks down, shuffles his feet ... recognises that he has just been described. Actually while I eat at my desk, I have just started making a real effort to get out for a stroll around the block every afternoon.

On my last visit to my doctor (hadn't seen the bugger for years) we got chatting. He said the thing that concerns him the most was people who drove to work, sat at their desk, drove home, then sat in front of the TV.

Getting people moving around should be high on the list.

[Oakie]

Sometimes wellness comes from giving not receiving, Well that is a perspective I'd not thought of. Interesting.


perhaps as a not for profit your folks are doing that all the time anyway? yep. There is certainly some unpaid work goes in because I guess our work (disability support) is more of a vocation than a career.

[Oakie]

On my last visit to my doctor (hadn't seen the bugger for years) we got chatting. He said the thing that concerns him the most was people who drove to work, sat at their desk, drove home, then sat in front of the TV. Getting people moving around should be high on the list.

Yeah. That is a cheap one to achieve. A compulsory 10 minute walk around the block sounds good.

[EJK]

Yeah. That is a cheap one to achieve. A compulsory 10 minute walk around the block sounds good.

Some cheeky manager tend to book meeting rooms a floor above so we have to take the stairs once every now and then. Bastard.

[george formby]

We do some silly stuff in the office when we get fed up or over burdened. Crazy golf, hula hoops, cubicle badminton, cricket, basketball etc. I do some of this stuff with the students, too, when they are tired of an arvo.

A good laugh and a change of posture from the office chair seems to make the atmosphere / team a lot more positive.

I've asked for a paddling pool but have yet to see it.

Oh, we have table tennis as well.

[skippa1]

hookers for lunch.
pants-optional thursdays.
minimum blood-alcohol content to attend meetings.
(pork) spit roast fridays.
bring your kids to work and hit someone elses for a change.
wife swap.
hannukah.
secret satan (not a typo).
issue everyone firearms.
forward chain-emails.
discuss the benefits of accepting jesus christ as your lord and saviour. start a "fortunately-unfortunately"
play hackey sack at lunch.
reefer vending machines.


vote akzle.
All of these are very good ideas

vote akzle

[Gremlin]

Some cheeky manager tend to book meeting rooms a floor above so we have to take the stairs once every now and then. Bastard.
Our office is on the second floor. That shit should be illegal! Plus we're out visiting clients, so you're up and down the stairs a few times a day normally.

Normally on Mondays I'm bouncing up the stairs two at a time - Friday is a slow single step struggle :sweatdrop

[BuzzardNZ]

A couple of companies I've been involved with have run a lunchtime bootcamp/crossfit/excercise thing - where they get a personal trainer to come in at lunch, and they go out to the carpark and do various exercises.

Obviously you took the 'I'll just have a pie instead' option then!http://www.warriorslave.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/maxresdefault.jpg

https://media2.giphy.com/media/uvzvoT4xS9ygw/giphy.gifhttps://media2.giphy.com/media/uvzvoT4xS9ygw/giphy.gifhttps://i.makeagif.com/media/8-26-2015/X6hTu8.mp4

[TheDemonLord]

Obviously you took the 'I'll just have a pie instead' option then!

Nah, I don't do pies.

[Akzle]

Nah, I don't do pies.

you sick fuck

[jim.cox]

Seen this?

Study finds workplace wellness programmes dont work (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100959582/workplace-wellness-programmes-dont-work-for-you-or-your-company-study-finds)

Cant say that I am surprised...

[That looks like fun]

Create a positive non threatening workplace where people are accepted and problems are solved.
If you subscribe to a counselling service for staff do "NOT" use EAP. They are not honest.
Don't, at the end of an investigation find blame. Find solutions.
Pay people what they are worth.
Don't set unrealistic goals.
Involve your staff in the company
Keep the playing field level. :niceone:

[TheDemonLord]

Seen this?

Study finds workplace wellness programmes dont work (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100959582/workplace-wellness-programmes-dont-work-for-you-or-your-company-study-finds)

Cant say that I am surprised...

I had a nose through the actual study - it's a bit less black and white than the article suggests - mainly because they are looking at the long term (3 year) effects - but the first years results do look pretty damning.

[Oakie]

I had a nose through the actual study - it's a bit less black and white than the article suggests - mainly because they are looking at the long term (3 year) effects - but the first years results do look pretty damning.

It said that it failed in it's goals but it does depend on what the goals actually are though. This was an American one with a main goal of reducing corporate health coverage expenses.

Our goal is to give the opportunity for our employees to access helath options they might not otherwise get. Just by it's very existance we succeed.

[R650R]

Your going to be busy Oakie.... "Lets do this shit" has just gone full Clarkistanian....

I bet even the Russians don't record "allegations"... I'm just hoping this article is badly written so the real deal isn't as bad as it sounds.

Most guys already stay at arms length from female colleagues in fear of this stuff already.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/101113650/government-to-start-tracking-sexual-misconduct-in-the-workplace

[pritch]

*Encourage to take breaks and go for 10 min walk, or even to near by coffee shop. (we IT people hardly leave their seats, sometimes even during lunch)

This is important. Deep vein thrombosis (aka economy class syndrome) is not retricted to air travel. It's a problem in call centres and anywhere else people sit for extended periods.

I used to think about this while reading KB at my desk during breaks. :whistle:

[oldrider]

This is important. Deep vein thrombosis (aka economy class syndrome) is not retricted to air travel. It's a problem in call centres and anywhere else people sit for extended periods.

I used to think about this while reading KB at my desk during breaks. :whistle:

KB is really quite relaxing - kinda like reading comics as a kid. :corn: