Page 263 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

250B RE-ENGAGE

By the way, did we mention that Kim is the human resources di-
rector where she works? Kim found her health condition and attitude
toward well care ironic, because, as the HR leader, she knew she should
be leading the charge in employee health and well-being. She should be
the one getting programs in place that help employees (including those
like her) take more responsibility for their health and well-being.
The bad news kept coming: the health benefits broker informed
her that the company premium for the next year would be increas-
ing . . . dramatically. The increase was in large part due to signifi-
cant claim activity for employees with heart and diabetes problems,
two conditions that she knew can often be managed more effectively
by making lifestyle changes than dousing them with medications.
Kim considered her situation: was it time to put away the glib jokes
and change her personal and professional point of view? She decided
that if she was going to be the leader of wellness where she worked,
she should start this movement, literally and figuratively, herself. Her
doctor cleared her for moderate exercise and suggested a diet that in-
cluded more fresh fruit and vegetables and fewer chili dogs—no big
surprise there.
Several of her friends exercised in the mornings, but that didn’t
fit Kim’s work schedule. She found that a couple of friends took an
exercise class three times a week right after work. That made some
sense. Her doctor told her to commit to the new regimen for 30 days.
The first week or so was miserable; she felt embarrassed to be so out of
shape, but she kept going in spite of her feelings. She also found some
low-calorie recipes on the Internet that sounded—and, as she found
out later, tasted—pretty good.
At the end of the month Kim noticed several positive changes: a
little weight loss and more sound sleep, and most important, she felt
better about herself. She still doesn’t love to work out, but she loves
the benefits.
Kim had also been doing her homework about a worksite wellness
program, and what she had discovered was exciting. It looked like
many employers who were making an investment in wellness were
seeing positive results for themselves and their employees.