LEFT: Red Stripe's state-of-the-art Gym. RIGHT: Staff of Sandals Negril working out in the gym as part of the hotel's stress management programme. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
COMPANIES HAVE realised that healthy employees mean more productivity and as such are moving away from a rigid work environment to one in which staff members can relax, be well and of course, feel comfortable. Some companies have added a gym and a structured wellness programme to their many departments. The following are a few of the corporate entities that have made wellness a priority.
RED STRIPE:
The beverage company at 214 Spanish Road in Kingston provides a comprehensive wellness programme for their staff members who do not leave them drunk or weary. Since the late 1990s Red Stripe implemented wellness as a part of the workforce. Thus far, occupational health adviser, Veronica Benain says the benefits have been rewarding. For last year, she says, they noticed that the use of health cards by staff members had reduced and so the company paid out less for health claims to their provider Life of Jamaica.
The comprehensive wellness programme at Red Stripe boasts:
Health screening: Held every Tuesday (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) for staff members with pre-existing health concerns such as diabetes and high cholesterol; weight, glucose and vision screening can also be done. Plus, two nurses are on site handling the screenings.
A gym: That contains weights, machines and skipping ropes along with other gym equipment.
A playfield: Mainly for jogging.
A green area: Specifically for the production employees who work 12 hours per day. This power nap area is in a nice comfortable room that has a television, reclining chairs, dim lights and soft colours like green and blue.
A canteen: This plays an important role to wellness and is open 24 hours. Ms. Benain notes that the wellness programme of the canteen will be improved to include demonstrations by culinary experts on how to prepare healthy meals, and also a walk in club will be added.
Ms. Benain says that by December an aerobics session for staff members will also come on stream. "The comprehensive wellness programme at the workplace has benefits. If you don't have healthy staff the production will go down. We find that they (the staff) give more and that the morale is up."
UNITED GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED:
The UGI group of companies implemented a UGI's Employee Support Programme, that's integrated into the Group's Wellness Programme, under the banner, "Spirit of Fulfilment."
In July 1998, the programme began informally with health checks and blood donation drives, in partnership with the Jamaica Red Cross and the Lions Club. Then on May 28, 2004 the company had its official launch of the programme.
While, in 2003 checks of blood sugar, ECG, vision and weight management were the cornerstones of sessions on learning preventative health care. The results were good, and because of the resulting lower health card use among staff, UGI was able to negotiate and secure better health insurance rates and increased coverage opportunities with its health insurance provider.
Also, one of UGI's best-kept secrets is its top floor, called Trafalgar View; a popular venue for occasional party events. This air-conditioned, and abundantly and naturally lit space, featuring effortless views of the mountains, shielded only by huge glass windows, are where modern gym equipment for the staff is located. It's not a strange sight to see UGIers in work-out gear heading up to Trafalgar View after business hours to exercise at the twice-weekly trainer-led sessions. And if one doesn't mind breaking a sweat, dance classes in reggae, salsa and soca are favourites.
There's also a place for sports enthusiasts - the programme sponsors gears for annual inter-company football and Business House netball competitions, which see teams training under their coaches' watchful eye, as they vie to bring glory to their company and colleagues. Diet and nutrition advisories and talks are regularly presented with encouraging messages to promote healthy eating habits. Plans are under way to invite a professional dietician to deliver talks on this always-current subject.
JAMAICA MONEY MARKET BROKER:
The Jamaica Money Market Broker (JMMB), at Haughton Terrace in St. Andrew is not only interested in the development of their product but also in the wellbeing of their employees. As a result several wellness programmes have been put into place. A company gym that is accessible to employees seven days per week. Plus a trainer comes in three days per week for aerobics classes.
There is a nursery and after-care programme for employees' children. Plus self-enhancement workshops are held regularly and employees also have access to counselling when the need arises.
A sports club is also in place that is accessible during and after work hours. According to assistant human resource manager, Simone Dunbar, employees at JMMB are placed in houses and from time to time they have in-house competitions.
Miss Dunbar said JMMB believes in the total development, mental and physical health of their employees and that it is not just about the job. She added that JMMB's wellness programmes help to promote their culture of togetherness and personal excellence. She said that the company does not focus only on productivity as it relates to the job but is concerned about employees' total well being.
Miss Dunbar told Lifestyle that the participation towards the wellness club has been well. And many employees use the company nursery. Also there are no gyms at any of the other JMMB branches outside of Kingston. As a result employees at those branches receive a gym subsidy.
