Making Changes Work

Encouraging employees to make healthy lifestyle choices can be a trying task. When employees are reluctant to make healthy changes encourage them to start small. The best way to make health changes is to start out slow. Encourage employees to start by walking 15 min. a day, then in a week or two bump it up to 20 min. The same method can be used when encouraging employees to eat healthier. Try replacing one high fat vending machine snack with a healthier option. See how employees react and gradually replace the remaining high fat, high sodium, and high cholesterol snacks with healthier options. Employees are more likely to accept the healthier snack choices if they are filtered in gradually.

What do Employees Want?

Increasing productivity at the workplace doesn't always have to be motivated by incentives and bonuses. Often, finding what makes employees comfortable can increase their productivity without spending a lot. Utilize a Health Risk Assessment Survey to determine what employees need, but also what employees want. The results may surprise you. Changing the lighting in an office, adding artwork to the walls, or regulating the office temperature might make an unenthusiastic employee more comfortable and motivated. Poll your employees to see how their environment might be affecting their work and implement the suggested changes. You never know, moving a noisy shredder from the workspace to the copy room might save an employee a headache and the negative attitude that accompanies it!

Kristina Macklin
kmacklin@totalwellnesshealth.com
www.totalwellnesshealth.com