Benefits of Worksite Wellness

Create a Worksite Wellness Program

Georgia Model Worksites

Worksite Spotlight

Work Healthy Georgia Toolkit

Sample Worksite Policies

Resources for Worksite Wellness

Worksite Spotlight

Hooked on Health

The Southwest Georgia Health District has implemented a Hooked on Health Campaign. Hooked on Health is a workplace wellness initiative that emphasizes five healthy lifestyle behaviors: smoking cessation, stress reduction, healthy eating, being active and getting screened. It uses a custom-made computer program that allows users to join a supportive community, select wellness activities and goals, monitor their personal progress and access health-related educational materials. The best part of this initiative is that it is FREE!

Results from Hooked on Health Program:

• 119 participants have lost a total of 1,872 lbs.
• 47 participants have lost a total of 397 inches
• 52 employees (24%) reported improved lipid profiles
• Four smokers quit and nine smokers cut back
• 30% of participants have lowered their blood pressure
• 27 participants have improved their HgbA1C
• 79% of participants have increased their intake of fruits and veggies

Grady County – Worksite Wellness Initiatives

Grady County conducted lunch and learns for a period of four weeks at the Timken Company. There were a total of 33 participants who participated in the lunch and learn sessions and initial screening biometric screenings.

A total of 55.9 lbs were lost, 19 participants improved their blood pressures. Lunch and learn sessions included a presentation and then a question and answer question period to review and explain lab results. At the last lunch and learn, employees wanted us to return even if we "could not feed them". Several participants told me they had bought different foods that were lower in fat. Several of them started walking. We enjoyed doing worksite wellness!

Cobb-Douglas – Worksite Policy Changes

The following worksite related policy changes have occurred in Cobb-Douglas:

• Cobb and Douglas Public Health passed Tobacco Free Campus policy.
• Nibco, Inc. passed a smoke-free worksite policy.
• Atlanta West Carpet passed a smoke free worksite policy and a Nutrition & Physical Activity Wellness policy.
• City of Smyrna passed a Tobacco-Free worksite policy.
• Douglas County School System passed a worksite tobacco-free policy.
• Marietta City School System passed a worksite tobacco-free policy.
• Cobb County School System passed a worksite tobacco-free policy.

Southwest Health District – Wellness Policy

The District Health Director encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being. The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals.

Supervisors are responsible for coordinating schedules to ensure that each employee is treated fairly, that breaks are granted consistently, and that service delivery is not interrupted or compromised.

Guidelines for use of wellness breaks include:

• A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.
• Wellness breaks cannot be taken in addition to other breaks.
• Employees will sign out for wellness breaks as appropriate to the worksite.
• With sufficient justification and accountability, supervisors may allow staff to combine wellness breaks with lunch breaks or to use wellness break time at the beginning or end of the workday.
• Thirty minute wellness breaks may be used for physical activities including but not limited to:
  • Walking or jogging
  • Swimming
  • Workout at gym
  • Yoga
  • Mall walking prior to the mall’s opening hours
• Thirty minute wellness breaks may also be used for:
  • Counseling, educational training, and support functions for behavioral modification (i.e. tobacco and other addictions)
  • Expressing breastmilk by breastfeeding mothers
  • Other activities to improve emotional/mental health must be conducted during the regular 15-minute breaks. Examples include meditation, resting, reading, sitting outside, etc.
• Staff are encouraged to take advantage of gym memberships, walking tracks, and other off site activities for wellness break activities.
• Employees who choose to participate in wellness breaks must realize that
  • Wellness breaks are a privilege that may be revoked if abused.
  • Scheduling and service delivery take precedence over wellness breaks.
  • Wellness activities are subject to approval and may not be granted due to public perception. Examples of activities that are not considered acceptable due to public perception include, but are not limited to: walking in the mall during shopping hours, manicures, pedicures, massages, doing household chores, and tanning.
  • Meals cannot be eaten during work time, either before or after wellness and/or lunch breaks.
• The District Wellness Committee will evaluate and consider other options for wellness activities at the supervisor’s request.