As far as workplaces go, no matter the varying characteristics, the majority of owners and key management professionals are united in the quest to do what’s best for their employees. There are two key principles that should always be taken into consideration with respect to workforce: wellness and safety.
Safety is one of the key factors on the preventative side that greatly contributes to overall wellness in the workplace. Implementing the proper training can help to avoid accidents and injuries that have the potential to negatively affect both the employees and the business alike.
“A safe and healthy workforce directly impacts a business’s bottom line,” emphasizes Laurie Klosterboer, Executive Director of the Nebraska Safety Council. “Employees who are healthy actually perform better and stay focused on their job. This focus allows them to engage well with others and utilize the safety training they have received to manage their everyday job duties. Incorporating effective safety and wellness programs will also result in fewer days away from work due to illness or injury. Implementing these programs can build positive goodwill among your workforce and make you an employer of choice. With the low unemployment rate in Lincoln, being known as a business that truly cares about the safety and health of their employees and ‘walks the talk’ is a major advantage. An effective safety and wellness program just makes good business sense.
In most organizations that have both safety and wellness programs, these functions are carried out by separate departments and are not necessarily tied together. Research is showing that by integrating these two functions or promoting the Total Worker Health™ model, organizations can see more effective results such as a reduction in workplace injuries and illnesses, reduced absenteeism, increased employee engagement, and improved job performance. Our goal is to help organizations make the connection, develop the infrastructure to support the connection, and achieve positive outcomes.”
She also offers direction as to the main points of focus for an effective workplace wellness and safety program. “First and most important is to have top-level support and commitment. This support needs to be shown not only through words but through action. It is very difficult to have an effective safety and wellness program if senior management is only paying lip service to the program. Senior management should be involved in all aspects of the program and should be visible during activities such as pre-shift stretching, safety trainings, wellness activities, and should play a key role in recognizing positive behaviors on both the wellness and safety fronts. Messages and actions coming from ‘the top’ should make the connection between safety and wellness to reinforce that both are a priority for the organization. Second, is to involve your employees. What a great opportunity to get your employees engaged by asking for their involvement in these programs. Getting them involved on the safety and/or wellness committee, asking for feedback on their specific positions and duties, getting them to participate in the wellness program and in specific wellness activities are all great engagement ideas. In addition, asking them for feedback and ideas for improving the overall health and safety of the organization, and empowering them to make changes in their personal safety and wellness are all key to building a strong safety and wellness culture.
The Nebraska Safety Council was recently awarded affiliate status for the National Institute of Occupational Safety And Health (NIOSH) Total Worker Health™ program. As an affiliate, the Council directly collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and NIOSH. This collaboration allows us direct access to technical expertise and resources that we would not have otherwise. This empowers us to provide unique solutions and resources to businesses that are interested in integrating their wellness, safety, and occupational health programs.
As a resource for businesses and organizations across the state, we offer a variety of programs and services to assist with safety and wellness. This includes what we call ‘public’ classes across the state where businesses can send their employees to training on various safety and wellness topics. We can also provide training onsite at a business’s facility for a more economical and/or customized program. We offer a wide range of consulting services including written program review and development, mock OSHA inspections, customized wellness programming and consultation, industrial hygiene services, technical support, onsite training/education, and much more. We work with businesses based on where they are currently and where they want to go with their program. Every company has different needs and goals, and we work with each company individually to create a custom program that will achieve the outcomes they are looking for. Some organizations are just beginning to develop their safety and wellness initiatives, while others have established programs but need our assistance to grow and enhance their offerings. As a non-profit organization, and the only organization in the state to offer both wellness and safety resources under one roof, our mission is to provide leadership and education on safety and wellness to organizations.”
*For more information on Total Worker Health ™ visit the Nebraska Safety Council website www.nesafetycouncil.org or call 402.483.2511.
If you are looking to design a new training program, or to update an existing program by incorporating a new multimedia element, you may also want to consider having your own safety training videos produced. This will allow you to focus on addressing the safety issues that are specific to your workplace and training your employees properly in those areas.
“For those who need a professionally looking training video, whether for OSHA compliance or situational training for educational purposes, we are very well seasoned and have many examples of training videos to provide if you are looking for ideas,” advises Mike Domgard, President and CEO of Outpost 12 Studios. “It doesn’t matter if it needs to be animated or filmed; we have the expertise, staff, and experience to produce top quality training videos for your business.”
Outpost 12 Studios is the Midwest’s premier full service production studio, offering all in-house services including 3D, VFX, film and interactive design capabilities. This allows them to infuse your brand and content with their creativity and expertise for a finished product that will capture the interest of your intended audience and effectively deliver your message. Safety videos are among Outpost 12’s offerings that are specifically designed with practical applications that benefit local businesses. Utilizing tools that educate your employees and bring awareness to the key issues that will likely affect them at some point is mutually beneficial and fundamental in the success of your wellness and safety programming.
In terms of overall health and wellness, there are a lot of different factors at play for each individual and a well-designed workplace wellness program should strive to take this variance into account. Professionals also agree that the benefits of setting up a wellness program are abundant and far-reaching.
“The numerous benefits of incorporating a wellness program in the workplace can be seen in many different areas,” advises Steve Holzwarth, owner of the Profile® by Sanford franchise in Lincoln located at 70th and Pioneers. “Not only does it help to improve healthcare costs for the employees and employer because everyone is healthier, it provides an entire lifestyle change to effectively improve the quality of work and overall person. The ability to properly manage one’s work can be directly affected by the ability to effectively manage one’s body and lifestyle. The employee morale and camaraderie will bloom and the improved level of work will benefit any business.
We utilize an Employer Partner program that offers ½ off the membership for all employees once a business is signed up and then 20% off our product. We offer this program at no cost to the employer. The membership will then cost $150 for one year. We utilize one-on-one support at our location to help coach members to success in the areas of nutrition, activity, and lifestyle. Our integration of technology and products with certified coaching provides a simple, effective, and sustainable route from establishing health goals to meeting them.
My best recommendation for a business looking to start a workplace wellness program is to find one that provides overall value to you as the employer. Utilizing a program that can have a lasting effect on your business is extremely important in guiding the efforts geared toward that program. Some of the most successful programs are designed with simplicity and accountability at the forefront. Furthermore, our health and wellness culture has evolved drastically in the last 15 years and the need to help the ‘non-scientist’ to understand and implement the proper techniques for a healthier lifestyle is crucial. Profile by Sanford focuses on simple education pieces to help our members understand the premise of the need for change and how it will help them. We also hold them accountable with the technology and coaching we provide. Our culture is filled with choices—and too many of the bad choices. Providing a foundation to know how to choose correctly is vital.
Workplace wellness can be a very beneficial component to any business and their ability to function properly. Under the guidance of a major healthcare system and numerous doctors and physicians Profile by Sanford has a found a very basic and safe concept to improve the quality of life. This can be an everlasting productive piece for an employer in the improved quality of employee they produce.”
“There are numerous benefits to having a wellness program in the workplace,” agrees Austin Weaver, DC, owner of Holmes Lake Chiropractic. “The biggest I would say is happier and healthier employees. It is proven that having a wellness program reduces injuries and sickness and increases productivity! Another aspect that management might enjoy is typically a reduced insurance rate due to fewer worker compensation claims and promoting a healthier safer work environment.
Some main points to focus on are to simply be active and pay attention to your daily posture and ergonomics. Whether we are sitting at the desk all day or doing construction, the way we do things matter. Our bodies are built to move, so when we are stationary all day then go home and watch TV, we don’t allow for this to happen. This leads to chronic pain and tightness in the neck, shoulders and low back. Try setting a timer on your phone or computer to go off every 45 minutes and when it does, stand up move your shoulders, squat up and down, stretch your arms and your neck. This only takes a couple of minutes to do, but can save you from much discomfort later on and allows for better focus when your resume work.
If you are using tools and equipment, pay attention to how you operate them. For construction workers or maintenance staff, if you are raising your arms above your head or are crouched in awkward positions it will definitely take a toll on your joints and muscles. It is best to use the right tool for the job and use ladders, extenders or other items that may help with getting to those hard to reach places. You may have to spend a little extra time preparing for the job at hand, but it will save you from unnecessary injury or pain later on.
Holmes Lake Chiropractic offers learning workshops, demonstrations, and treatment options to help prevent pain and injury and promote health and wellness in the office. We cover the how-to’s of workplace ergonomics and offer ways to improve conditions for wellness. Also, treatment is available for those who are already experiencing the pains and discomfort of the daily grind and will offer solutions to prevent it from returning.
The hardest but most important part to a wellness program is simply getting started. It can be a work in progress, but start with something basic and get everyone excited about it. Some helpful tips that I can offer to businesses would be to pick a day and promote it as a wellness day. Something like, Wellness Wednesday, where a healthy lunch is offered and information can be shared about health and wellness.
Movement is key to wellness. The research shows that static stretching, like touching your toes, is not very beneficial to the body. What you want to do is dynamic stretching, which is movement, like running in place, jumping jacks, high knees, arm swings. Motions that will get your heart rate up and your muscles warm. Studies show this will improve brain and body function.
Lastly, contact your insurance company and see if implementing workplace wellness can actually save you money! Everyone can benefit from a wellness program both in health and financially. For more information or if you would like to meet to talk about more wellness program ideas, contact Holmes Lake Chiropractic at (402) 483-4409 or by e-mail at aweaver@holmeslake.com.”
Many of us are familiar with the saying “happiness is an inside job.” Taking charge of your own health and wellness in the workplace as an employee is just as important as promoting a culture of wellness in the workplace as an employer. Eric Haider, CEO of The Waterford at College View, offers ways to assess and improve your Occupational Wellness:
“According to the McKinley Health Center, a renowned leader in the science of wellness, ‘Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential.’ There are six different dimensions of wellness, and Occupational Wellness is one that we at The Waterford Communities strive to have all of our staff work toward. Occupational Wellness makes it possible for you to explore and enhance wellness right where you work. It also assists you in looking for opportunities to expand doing what you enjoy most. In order for you to be in the healthiest state of Occupational Wellness, you can do some very simple things right in your work place before or just after each work day is over. This will allow you to be more satisfied and enjoy your daily work routine along with being more comfortable with your personal and financial situations while improving your well-being.
The Waterford Communities have a few recommendations to make occupational wellness easier and life better:
• Take Breaks! Work can be a struggle at times so get in the habit of taking a break from what you are doing even with things that have deadlines. Taking a break will actually improve your job performance and it can reduce your overall job stress. Even stretching a minute or two will help or take a short brisk walk. Take a break!
• Make Lists! Making lists is a great time management technique that helps reduce stress and improves your ability to get your work completed in a timely manner. The most basic list is the To-Do List. The Waterford Communities recommends when making a list, keep it short and prioritized so you can plan to get things done for the day without overwhelming yourself. The best feeling is crossing an item off that list and knowing you are one step closer to finishing!
• Clean Workspace! When your workspace is clean and organized, it makes it much easier to keep track of everything that you need to do and it will help minimize anxiety. When your work space is cluttered, it is easy to become distracted, stressed and disorganized. Keep it neat!
• Set Goals! This is personal as well as work related. Goals should be short, clear and attainable with a timeline. Setting mini-goals will help you get through your day with a little bit of added fun. Start with the hardest things or what you enjoy the least so they are out of the way for the rest of the work day. For example, ‘I’m going to get this whole stack of paperwork sorted and filed in an hour.’ This way the goal is necessary, attainable and time sensitive. When you achieve the goal, it’s like winning a contest! This will help you to accomplish more with a sense of good organization, good planning and personal satisfaction, ‘I can do it!’ for you and the team members around you.
When evaluating your Occupational Wellness ask these three questions, and if you answer ‘No’ to any of them, it may mean that some things need to be changed in the area of your Occupational Wellness and well-being.
• Do I enjoy going to work most days? Why or why not?
• Do I have a manageable workload and positive attitude? Why or why not?
• Do I perceive that I have improved in Occupational Wellness in the last month? Why or why not?
Most of us realize Occupational Wellness is a real investment of our own time, skills and abilities to serve those around us. It is also important for us to improve our overall well-being. When we are doing what we enjoy and see the benefit we bring to those we serve, we are able to get a deeper sense of our meaning and purpose in the work place. The Waterford Communities wish you well in growing better in Occupational Wellness.”
Employees are one of the most important assets to a business or organization, and as such, their health and wellness is fundamental to their performance, and therefore, everyone’s success. “The most important benefit of incorporating a wellness program is a healthy workforce,” emphasizes Mike Hahn, Director of Wellness for Husker Health/Husker Rehabilitation & Wellness Centers, P.C. “A healthier workforce is a more productive workforce. It has been well documented that employees that maintain a healthy weight, and exercise frequently take less sick days than employees that are overweight, and do not actively exercise. The main focus of a wellness program should involve healthy lifestyle education, weight management, nutrition information and exercise.
A great wellness program would encompass a wide range of health topics, and would not just focus on one or two subjects. A trend that I see in the wellness community is emphasis on education. There are a lot of misnomers out there regarding health, especially when it comes to nutrition and exercise. People get bombarded everyday with so much information it is hard to sort out fact from fiction. A good wellness program would educate the employee not only on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, but how to go about it the right way.
Husker Rehab’s staff of physical therapists, nurses and trainers have the education and experience to support any wellness program. Our physical therapists have years of experience treating patients so they can return to their jobs after an injury or accident. They also are a great resource for proper work place ergonomics. Our physical therapists can teach individuals better posture and ergonomics so they can not only perform their job more efficiently but also reduce the risk of injury while at work. At our Husker Rehab in Beatrice, we have Husker Health, which houses our wellness center and occupational health departments. Our Wellness Director and occupational health nurses routinely work with the community to teach and promote a healthy lifestyle. The Husker Health wellness center has gym memberships and nutrition counseling available to assist any wellness program. Husker Rehab as a whole has the knowledge and experience to assist any wellness program succeed in developing a healthier workforce.
An individual’s health is something that should never be taken for granted. However, at times it seems that it is not a priority. A workplace wellness program is a great tool to educate and empower people to make health lifestyle a priority, and to improve their quality of life.”
As previously mentioned, regular exercise and proper nutrition are two of the main contributing factors to good health, both in the workplace and outside of it. Tammie Collier of Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping offers the following advice for employers who are considering offering programs to encourage their employees to exercise more and eat healthier:
“If an employer has the ability to help fund a portion of a gym membership to encourage employees to be healthy, or even offer a facility on-site, that is a great benefit to offer. Also, offering lunch and learns for employees regarding healthy eating is very beneficial. However, the key words here are healthy eating—NOT dieting. Dieting has a negative connotation and generally has associated start and end dates, whereas healthy eating is a lifestyle. My biggest recommendation is to talk about it! This dialogue can happen at employee meetings, in newsletters, during special events, and so on. It is important to showcase employees who have embraced a healthy lifestyle, along with information about what their program is, how they have been successful, and how it has changed their life at work and at home. Any encouragement and support that an employer can give is great. Of course, setting an example is also key—don’t just preach it, live it! There are all kinds of ‘feel good’ reasons to support and offer workplace wellness initiatives but what may be the most important reason for an employer is the bottom line: having employees take better care of themselves is one of the best ways to reduce the costs of healthcare coverage…and this comes back twofold to the employer!”
She adds, “Many things happen when you follow an exercise regimen and focus on healthy eating. Physically, the obvious changes are fat loss, muscle tone and an improvement in the overall shape of the body. Many things also happen internally, such as confidence levels improving in many areas of life which are not only confined to a stronger belief about your ability to challenge yourself more at the gym. These higher confidence levels translate into your personal and professional life as well. People tell me all the time how much better they feel about themselves at work—their job performance, productivity, and mood. People who exercise naturally have more energy, sleep better, are healthier in general, and incur fewer injuries on the job.”
Support from those who surround you is often crucial to the success of wellness programs, whether in the workplace or elsewhere. Collier states, “Most people who have a workout partner are more likely to succeed with an exercise routine. They are less likely to skip a workout—when you have someone counting on you to be there and workout together, you’re not going to skip out on them! Accountability is a huge factor with regard to success! People often find workouts more fun with a friend and they also tend to workout harder. Plus, it’s always more fun to celebrate successes with a friend; set goals for yourselves and schedule a celebration when you reach those goals! The same can easily be true for co-workers. If you surround yourself with people who are active and eat well, there’s a good chance you’re going to do the same.”
Aside from recurring themes of exercise and nutrition, there are a host of other things to consider when it comes to overall wellness and the factors in your workplace that affect your health. Do you spend a good portion of your day on a computer? iPad? Smartphone? Chances are you do, and there is more and more research coming out regarding the exposure to blue light and how it causes damage to your eyes. “The blue light emitted from electronic devices (computers, tablets, smartphones) is damaging to our eyes and can lead to macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults, as well as eye strain and dry eyes,” explains Dr. Andrew Bateman of Clear Vision Eye Care. “The good news is that there are now blue light blocking coatings that can be added to your eyeglass lenses (for adults and children). This will not only help protect your eyes from the damage blue light exposure can cause, but also from digital eye strain that comes from spending long periods time on a computer.
It is a common misconception that if you don’t need eye correction, then you don’t need an eye examination. A comprehensive eye exam is much more than just the eyeglasses prescription. I tell my new patients that I basically perform two different exams. First, we’ll test your current vision to see what we can do to make your vision the best it can be. Second, and more importantly, we’re going to do a medical eye health exam to test the future of your vision. This will involve a number of diagnostic eye health tests you may not have experienced before. I invite every patient to ask questions at any point during the exam. I believe that patient education is the best way to preserve eye health, and I always want to hear from my patients.
We offer a lens coating made specifically to block blue light. This allows you to enjoy your devices while making sure your eyes (or your children’s eyes) are protected. We also offer comprehensive dry eye treatment. When people stare at the computer their blink rate drops from 21 times a minute to 7. This staring at the screen leads to irritation and burning that can actually affect the clarity of your vision and overall work place productivity.
For you multifocal wearers: do you feel like you have to move your head around to find the ‘sweet spot’ in your lenses? Especially when working on your computer? We’ve got the answer for that too! If a company ever has questions pertaining to their specific workplace eye wellness and safety they can send me a direct email to DrB@yourclearvision.com.”
In today’s workplace, the wellness and safety of employees is at the forefront of discussion. Implementing a program that takes these two areas into account will ensure that your workforce is operating at its maximum potential with little interference from a host of preventable issues. Creating a culture of wellness in the workplace has far-reaching benefits, and it has the potential to positively affect the lives of each and every person that plays a fundamental role in the continued success of your business.