Say What? Employees Ask For Whole Wheat Crust And Salads?

Beiersdorf, Inc. has partnered with Preventive Health Systems (PHS) for more than seven years on their wellness program. With 60 employees, their local distribution facility in West Chester is part of an international organization that manufactures Nivea brand creams and lotions.

Like many companies, Beiersdorf had been facing high health insurance premium increases, and had to deal with the fact that the nature of their work (most employees work in warehousing) can result in musculoskeletal conditions and repetitive motion injuries. Add to that the fact that many employees did not have or didn't use their doctors for preventive care and disease management. You can see why a change was needed.

Beiersdorf decided to do something about it. They implemented an extensive wellness program, partnering with TriHealth's Preventive Health Systems to do it.

Beiersdorfs program utilized a strategy focusing on:

• "Bumping up" the intensity of wellness intervention
• Improving access to medical care and consultation (hypertension, musculoskeletal, injury treatment, womens health, etc.)
• Strengthening on-going condition management (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.)
• Enhancing employee safety and wellness initiatives by providing for more employee contact and communication

The program keeps growing. In the past few years, Jennifer Miller, human resources manager at Beiersdorf, implemented a Wellness Incentive Program in which an employee can earn up to a $300 rebate toward their contribution to medical insurance. To be eligible, employees must complete a health risk assessment (HRA), participate in an exercise program, and engage in certain wellness activities. The HRA is the cornerstone of the program. Through it, employees can see how they're improving year to year, and the company receives an aggregate report to measure the programs effectiveness.

The company also utilizes TriHealth's coaching program. Lindsey Baker is Beiersdorf's onsite wellness coach. She meets one-on-one with employees, talking with them about their goals, frustrations and victories. Miller says employees really feel comfortable building trusting relationships with Lindsey.

And Beiersdorf is seeing the rewards. Their worker's compensation claims over $1,000 decreased from 11 in 2002 to four in 2008, and their disability claims decreased from 23 in 2005 to five in 2008.

According to Miller, one of the best parts of working with TriHealth has been their assistance in putting all of the pieces together. That's no small thing, since Miller single handedly manages all human resources for the facility.  "Its just me here in HR,"she said. "I set up the plan and yearly schedule, and all the rest is done by TriHealth. They do the work I don't have time to do."

The biggest payoff, according to Miller?  Witnessing the changes to employee morale and culture within their workplace. "Its amazing when employees start requesting whole wheat crust and salads at our monthly pizza lunches," Miller said. "They're also asking for better food in the vending machines, and we just had a very successful ‘Biggest Loser program.' "

Contact us to learn how Preventive Health Systems can get your employees started on the path to better health and productivity.