New trend: paying workers to be healthy

It’s estimated that obesity-related health problems cost employers in the U.S. $73.1 billion a year.

The Duke University study found that not only does it cost employers tons of cash for health costs in general, obesity-caused absenteeism and decreases in productivity encompass about half that number at $36.4 billion. Those are some staggering figures that a few companies are trying to combat by implementing their own healthy initiatives.

Some companies are paying employees to fulfill fitness challenges, run miles and eat their vegetables. Others are offering spa gift cards and paid days off, each finding what works to get their employees fit.

Jon Bergeron, a Winter Springs resident, owns Underground Fitness, a fitness company that offers on-site exercise classes and employee incentive plans that adapt to any office setting. Bergeron started his company because of his passion for living a healthy lifestyle and sharing that with others, and because he saw an opportunity when he learned about the costs for employers associated with obesity. Thinking about those billions of dollars struck him.

“It boggles my mind sometimes,” Bergeron said.

He said that implementing a fitness program can save employers about $6 per employee in medical costs and absenteeism for every dollar invested, but that return on investment takes time – up to three years. Corporate wellness is extremely new, but it’s catching on with companies focused on keeping their employees healthy and happy, rather than the end insurance savings.

Bergeron consults with companies to decide on what classes they’d like and heads there at any time of day, after work, during the lunch hour or for a quick break during the day, to give personalized classes. He’ll also work with the company to help plan a way to get employees excited about fitness, for example organizing challenges and incentives to get them to participate. He said working out could benefit the company through increased productivity.

“A healthy employee is a more productive employee,” Bergeron said. “Your awareness is heightened and your brain activity is actually higher after you work out.”

Workscapes in downtown Orlando is one of his clients, and has worked with him since last June. Kelly Lange, the office manager who has worked with him to develop their plan, said she’s felt that little rush of energy and focus after workouts. They’ll do laps around their office furniture showroom, run up and down their stairs and host Zumba and yoga classes.

They’ve also developed an incentive program that pays employees in points redeemable for vacation time or spa trips.

Lange said not only has Bergeron’s program helped people at work, but it’s also given them the motivation to keep up their healthy routine at home.

For more information about Underground Fitness and how they can help your employees get fit, visit undergroundfitness.us or call Jon Bergeron at 407-463-6940.

“It has an impact when you are focused on health and fitness … it overflows into life outside of work,” she said.

PCE, an investment-banking firm in Winter Park, has developed its own healthy employee program, and has seen the same results. Their employees have developed friendships through the fitness challenges they’ve given them. Their focus is to create an exciting, supportive and happy environment for their employees, rather than on the insurance cost benefits, which they as a small firm may never see.

Companies demonstrating that they value a work and life balance has become a way to draw prospective employees, and health programs do that, Bergeron said.

“It builds camaraderie among our group,” said Luisa Shellhorn, who co-created the program and is marketing coordinator for PCE.

They’ve even seen side bets going on to lose weight, and in their competitive office, a little friendly peer pressure goes a long way when it comes to getting people on board with their office walks around Park Avenue, said Deborah Domroski, co-creator of their program.

“Like minds usually come together to motivate each other,” said Domroski, human resources office manager for PCE.

At PCE, employees have the opportunity to earn cash for achieving fitness and health goals. They are on a point system, with walking a mile earning a point, for example, and every point they get is worth 10 cents. Domroski said they estimate that it would be easy for employees to make about $200 to $300 a year, and they can cash in once a month. The fitness portion of the program will culminate in the whole company running a 5k together. They think their program will stick because of how their co-workers will feel by participating.

“You just feel much better when you live a healthy lifestyle,” Shellhorn said.