It’s common to see the employees at Master Merchant Systems, or MMS, gathered together for a lunch and learn. Nutrition is just one of the topics they cover.
It’s all part of the company’s Workplace Wellness Program.
“Our employees are our greatest asset,” says Kathleen Jay, director of product development. “We are very aware of that and this is, in our opinion, our best investment in that resource.”
Jay says information sessions are just on of the company’s many health initiatives.
“One of the things we did about a year ago is we gave all our employees Fitbits and conducted workplace walking challenges where they can complete their steps online and challenge each other across the office,” says Jay.
Lisa Tsakos is a workplace wellness consultant. She says employees love a little bit of healthy competition, like the Fitbit challenge.
“So it’s a great opportunity to introduce some workplace challenges, fitness challenges, a plank challenge for example, or a healthy eating challenge,” says Tsakos.
Tsakos says whether you’re a small business or a huge corporation, workplace wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Replacing unhealthy snacks in vending machines and incorporating physical activity throughout the work day are good places to start.
“An empty boardroom becomes a yoga studio over the lunch hour,” she says. “Move your garbage receptacle or your recycling bin or even your photocopier to a centralized location so that you have an opportunity to take a few extra steps.”
Tsakos suggests walking to the lunchroom instead of eating at your desk or getting up to speak with a coworker instead of calling or emailing.
At MMS, employees are encouraged to get moving.
“We’ve had a high participating level in our group fitness classes,” says Jay. “We have many employees who take advantage of the discounted gym membership.”
Jay says even the CEO attends the group fitness classes, setting a good example for other employees.
“If the person in charge is very interested in a healthy balanced work environment that will have a trickle down effect,” Tsakos tells CTV News.
Tsakos says a workplace wellness plan can help increase productivity and cut down on sick days, saving companies money down the road.
Jay has seen the benefits first hand.
“We have a very engaged energetic workforce,” she says. “We have a low level of absenteeism which in our opinion is directly related to some of the initiatives we have in place.”
