It’s important that we take care of ourselves, but sometimes we get caught up in the busy of life and then we find ourselves drowning in all the things we need to do. October is Healthy Workplace Month. Read More→
Archive for Corporate Wellness
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the health and well-being of employees have become paramount.
We have all become very adaptable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by wearing masks, including while exercising at your workplace fitness centre.
While we are not training you for the Olympics, we are still staying on top of the latest information on high-intensity exercise. According to an article published March 9, 2021; the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that you SHOULD wear a mask while exercising indoors, even during high-intensity training. The article states that performance is not affected by wearing a mask during exercise. Read More→
For ten years I worked in corporate fitness and wellness. Many of my clients continually told me, I just don’t have time to take care of me. Work was used as an excuse. Let’s face it, we all live full and busy lives, but we all will make time for what is most important.
Photo Credit: Carl Heyerdahl
Did you know that October is Workplace Wellness Month?
Many workplaces try to find ways to help improve their staff’s overall wellbeing, by offering clinics, lunch n’ learns, stretch breaks etc. Here are my top favourite activities to help employees become more aware of their health and improving their health in the workplace. Read More→
How do employers make the best of Workplace Wellness programs during the pandemic?
Photo credit Edward Jenner
First, the transition to working from home caused a great deal of stress. Now, returning to work is having the same impact. Whether employees continue to work from home or are forced to return to the office for any reason, they must be provided a consistent, wholesome wellness experience.
A holistic employee wellness program requires a combination of mental and physical health as its top priority. Currently, the owner of most well-being programs in organizations is HR because traditionally well-being was a culture issue. With the hybrid model of or working from home and/or the office, organizations that have made the pivot with digital wellness platforms will help combat the anxiety and stress their teams are experiencing to aid in lasting change and job satisfaction. So how then do organizations pivot and find wellness solutions that will work? Read More→
As our fitness centres slowly open we want to make sure you start on the right track to achieve your goals.
1. Start Small – You may find that it’s a bit harder to run as fast or lift as much as you used to. Take time and build your body again. Starting too big can lead to injuries. Read More→
A personal training client wanted to ride his bike to work twice a week and once on the weekend. When I asked how the cycling was coming along, he threw his hands in the air and listed all the reasons why it wasn’t happening:
- Too many clothes to carry
- Too hard to get to work on time;
- Kept forgetting lunch at home;
- And my favourite; the ride is too short to get in shape (about 15 to 20 minutes each direction)
If you need some organization solutions, try this plan:
- Leave at the same time for work every day, 20 minutes earlier than now, then there will be no thinking or confusion and you will have an extra 20 minutes to yourself on driving day.
- Ride every Tuesday and Friday, no matter the weather (this will make it happen).
- On Monday and Thursdays when you drive to work take a complete set of work clothes, a towel and a bag of toiletries for you to use on ride days and leave these at your workplace.
- On Monday and Thursdays bring 2 lunches and leave one in the fridge for the next day.
- On Wednesdays bring home any wet towels or work clothes still at the office.
- And addressing my favourite roadblock, the short ride not being enough; on the ride home take a longer route or add on a loop close to your house.
- Pick one day and time on the weekend to go for a long ride. That is it. Just pick the time and do it. Work your errands and other responsibilities around those 90 minutes. Get up earlier, turn the ride in to social or family time or just say NO to other plans and do it.
Sometimes we are so busy solving work challenges we need a little help with solutions for our own health and well-being. Curtis Health Personal Trainers can help with accountability and solutions to help you meet your fitness goals.
My name is Charles Curtis, founder and President of Curtis Health. For more than 30 years I have been reading, consulting, discussing and writing on the ever increasing costs of poor health in the workplace and improving workplace well-being.
We know that costs associated with employee health continue to rise regardless of the overwhelming evidence of the positive return on investment (ROI) from effective workplace wellness programs.
So how can we determine what programs result in the positive outcome companies now must strive for?
A 2011 Sun Life-Ivey Business School study, Canadian Wellness Return on Investment Study, identified the five best practices to support optimal wellness strategy, design and implementation as:
- Leadership by example from senior and middle management creates a healthy culture.
- Policies and practices that reflect a culture of health and a commitment to a healthy workplace.
- Communication is critical. Employees must understand the employer’s commitment to employee health and wellness offering.
- Targeted programs to identify top health risks.
- Evaluate outcomes for analysis and benchmarks.
Leadership
Over the past 30 years, some organizations I’ve worked with exist through a philosophy of wellness for everything they do. Starting from the top, leadership believed that organized wellness activities were to be woven into the fabric of the company. The result was continuous growth, positive energy, pride and better outcomes resulting in organization wide cost savings while allowing the wellness budget to continually grow.
Contrary to this winning approach, I have seen cases where a very small budget was given to outfit fitness centres and see how the attendance would be before any more funds were injected into the program. This “build it and they will come” philosophy without strong leadership or investment usually results in little engagement, accountability and ownership of the program. Simply put, a fitness centre, the odd education communication, a weekly class and workshops as a “wellness program” does not result in positive changes in the workplace.
Policies and Practices
A strong business case with solid policies and practices is a must in order to sustain a wellness program over time. The strongest programs have a team of dedicated employees supported by leadership and an outside expert to help guide them through the pitfalls of a start up or refresh. Forming a committee to establish guidelines sets the tone for a strong program. The key to this is having a solid plan and committee members that are committed to the program, the company and the people. Without a dedicated group willing to work hard and support the policies it is an uphill battle.
Communication
The best programs have the strongest methods of communications. If the communication system is not effective then it doesn’t matter if you have the greatest programs available.
One example of this I have seen, had a middle management who believed in the program but there was little budget to promote the services. That created a situation where the organization had little “skin in the game” and left the program and sign ups to the employees without financial support, leadership or ownership. That was not a sustainable model. Opposite to that, I have seen programs that have a strong web presence, communication policy and plans. Consistent messages and programs are promoted well in advance throughout the locations and levels of organization, and supported by champions spreading the good word. Again, the more the investment and programs are communicated effectively, the better the returns.
Targeted Programs
Using passive forms of communication alone, such as educational handouts on fitness, health and wellness, does not achieve a positive return on investment. Behavioral health interventions will provide a much better result, establishing a winning plan for reducing those costly areas of concern and enabling the employee population of your company to flourish.
In my experience, using a health risk identification process and interest survey as a program launching point will ensure all data and health trends are collected from the beginning. This data is paramount in identifying and targeting the key areas of risk and interest in order to establish the most effective services and programs and maintain program accountability.
Evaluation
As a follow up to the risk identification process, it is suggested organizations develop a comparative feedback measurement to evaluate program success and establish accountability. The most successful programs are under constant scrutiny and evaluation. Evaluation can come in many forms: participation levels, participation feedback, pre and post test results and financial cost benefits just to name a few. This process motivates the organization to keep on top of the program and make adjustments as needed in a timely matter.
Charles Curtis is President of Curtis Personalized Health Management and owner and General Manager of 12 Weeks to Wellness: Premier services in providing fitness, health, wellness and coaching programs to individuals and organizations since 1985.
Visit us at any of the following locations!
https://www.facebook.com/CurtisPersonalizedHealthManagement
604-921-2348
info@curtishealth.com
Sources:
Change in Health Risks Associated with a Total Population Health Promotion Counseling Program in a Healthcare System
Wright D.W., Schultz A, Edington D.W. Journal of Health and Productivity 5(1):3-9, 2010.
For Immediate Release:
[Vancouver, British Columbia – Feb 1, 2019]
Curtis Health, a Vancouver-based workplace health and wellness provider, has been named one of Canada’s top wellness companies by CoreHealth Technologies, a wellness technology vendor.
“As a leader in individual and Corporate Health and Wellness since 1985, we have built a foundation of creative programming, unprecedented service and proven, effective health promotion and wellness solutions. These services include a full scope of individual and corporate fitness, health and wellness services, fitness facility management, space planning and operations,” says President, Charles Curtis.
Curtis Health, and its partner 12 Weeks to Wellness, provide shared wellness and health coaching services to a variety of industries and organizations including technology, gaming, government, utilities, manufacturing and transportation as well as Employee Assistance Providers and property development / business park fitness facility management. Curtis Health currently provides these corporate health and wellness services to over 12 companies and multiple properties, office towers business parks onsite, encompassing more than 28 fitness centers.
“We are very proud of our accomplishments and how effective we are in making a positive, notable difference in the well-being and health or our clients and their employees. We are committed to evolving our workplace wellness programs to meet the unique needs of each of our clients,” says Curtis.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Home | About Us | Meet the Team | How Can We Help? | Careers | Employers | Property Managers | Individuals | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2024 Curtis Health
Head Office: 1098 Canyon BLVD, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2K4 Telephone: 604.921.2348
Curtis Health Is Partnering With Kintec: Footwear + Orthotics
Kintec is offering all Curtis clients (including friends and family) expert shoe fitting to best suit your needs at a 15% discount on regular price footwear.