This month, we introduced GP Fit, our employee wellness program brand. The motto that we use is “Get in the game for a better life!” encouraging our employees to get involved and take the steps they need to be healthier and happier. We are excited to introduce new activities this year to boost workplace morale and help our employees prioritize medical requirements and personal health.
Our wellness program focuses on the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employees. We decided to brand our wellness program because it serves as a way to unify our wellness efforts. In addition to the GP Fit brand, we are introducing a few new initiatives for our 2019 plan year.
Health & Wealth Newsletters
One of our new ongoing initiatives for the 2019 plan year is our monthly Health & Wealth employee newsletter. On the first of every month, we email wellness program information, financial and healthcare tips, advice, and resources, and our wellness program calendar to employees. We also make these newsletters accessible to everyone by printing them and making them available in the lunchrooms. We often share information from UnitedHealthcare, Transamerica Retirement, and other sources.
The newsletters and flyers remind employees of upcoming events and give them directives for how they can use our wellness program and tools to their advantage. Education is a key component of a successful corporate wellness program and we want to ensure employees are aware of all of the resources available to them.
Biometric Screenings
One of the most exciting initiatives we are introducing this year is biometric screenings that are free for employees. Biometric screenings measure glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, and other health metrics. Employees have the opportunity to take this health snapshot and discuss their results and receive feedback on site. They can also take these results to their doctors.
Biometric screening results can serve as a guide for how to make lasting healthy changes. We have already completed biometric screenings in our Rhode Island facility and we have screenings scheduled for our Georgia facility at the end of June. RI employees greatly appreciated receiving immediate feedback on their screening results.
Yoga
At the end of June, we will host a yoga workshop for RI employees with Rhode Island-based yoga instructor and nutritionist Jessie Dwiggins. We plan to expand the yoga initiative to our Georgia facility as well. Not only can regular exercise improve concentration, memory, learning, and creativity, yoga can also decrease stress levels and increase energy and blood circulation.
For industrial workers who spend a lot of time on their feet, yoga is an effective way to stretch sore muscles and promote relaxation. Yoga has the added benefit of being accessible to all people regardless of age or level of flexibility.
Financial Literacy
An existing initiative we plan to build on this year is our financial literacy program component. Financial stress can have a direct impact on physical health and we want to help employees manage this significant stressor. We auto-enroll employees in our 401K program, regularly host webinars, and provide access to financial advisors. We are looking into new ways to engage our employees and help them take control of their finances.
Lunch and Learn
We’re not stopping there! As we move into our new plan year, we are looking into new topics for our lunch and learn program. In the past, we have hosted a yoga instructor and a chiropractor and we are currently researching topics like mindfulness, sleep, and mental health.