Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/182340
The Benefits Package together, either directly or indirectly, these champions can help create a culture that supports long-term health and wellness. Before a company can make a positive effect on long-term health choices, it needs to motivate participation in the initiative. Ongoing employee engagement not only helps to integrate health and wellness into the culture at work, but also encourages employees to choose healthier lifestyles long-term. How well a health and wellness initiative fits within the business structure will help determine companywide participation. Traditionally, health and wellness is assigned to one department, often human resources (which makes sense given the ability of such programs to reduce medical plan costs). However, tasking the initiative to one silo has the unintended consequence of abdicating responsibility for the rest of the company. The entire effort is seen as another department's "project." Engagement might be viewed as a tiresome task that "has" to be performed, rather than a relationship with one's own health and wellness. A successful provider in this realm will distribute responsibility throughout the entire company. That means establishing an inter-departmental network of health and wellness champions, underneath an umbrella of equally passionate executive leadership. Within this structure, sincerely engaged individuals can work together to execute goals and directives, continually breathing life into a long-lasting, companywide initiative. Let the Games Begin A trend gaining traction in worksite health and wellness initiatives is the application of gamification. Organized competition offers both executives and employees a playful way to engage at work while contributing to their own health and wellness, and it offers a first step toward behavior change and healthier lifestyles. Executives who participate in organized competition can drive significant, companywide engagement in health and wellness programs. Commonly driven by metrics and measurement, leaders enjoy the challenge to publicly outdo their peers. Healthy rivalry among leaders rallies the workforce and brings more executivelevel champions to the cause, strengthening the health and wellness initiative overall. Among the workforce, team-based competition, rather than individual activities, can significantly boost participation. Not only are team sports more fun, they keep participants motivated and accountable. Individuals are more committed and increase the likelihood of a successful program. The health and wellness initiative benefits overall, as more employees want to join the fun. Health education organizations like the American Heart Association offer public opportunities ideally suited for employee health and wellness participation. By all accounts, the programs have inspired employees to be more physically active yearround. Months after walking challenges conclude, many are still "counting steps," and attendance at the company gym has increased significantly. Additionally, wellness coordinators have noted that the team activities provide fertile ground for new and strengthened friendships to grow. Camaraderie at work benefits employees and business, according to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The research shows that a network of supportive coworkers reduces workplace stress and contributes to long-term employee health and wellness. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has ushered in unprecedented federal support for worksite wellness initiatives. Indeed, these work-based programs are part of a national public health strategy to address the nationwide increase in chronic illness, and improve human health and wellness. Incentives programs, both for short- and long-term health gain, are in the spotlight. Proposed rules to the ACA would increase the maximum permissible reward under a health-contingent wellness program from 20 percent to 30 percent of the cost of health coverage. Since long-term employee health is desired, businesses are exploring incentives that reward long-term health maintenance. Two popular emerging strategies that aim to support longterm health are incentives for participating in ongoing health maintenance programs, and reduced-cost health plans requiring a level of wellness as a gateway for entry. Committing to a healthier lifestyle is a challenge that many individuals confront. The effort required for success is often experienced as a burden, in the midst of modern cultures of convenience. Companies hoping to inspire employees to make healthier choices must embrace this difficult task. As healthcare costs continue to outpace inflation, and legislation supporting worksite health and wellness programs takes effect, businesses have a unique opportunity to reach outside familiar territory and experiment with new strategies. Innovative health and wellness initiatives are inspiring long-term behavior change and transforming work environments to support healthier, more productive lives. Mark Allen works for TE Connectivity. SEPTEMBER 2013 | www.hrotoday.com [83]