Worksite Wellness Survey reveals needs
By Mari Ryan, Advancing Wellness

In March and April, the CCC conducted an online survey of Cambridge businesses to learn about the types of health promotion programs being offering in worksites. The executives, owners and managers that responded provided us with a good understanding of the types of programs they are currently offering, the benefits of these programs and areas where they feel there are unmet needs in the business community.

The online survey was completed by 55 companies, ranging in size from less than 100 people (67%) to more than 1,000 employees (20%). For profit/private companies represented the majority of the participants (60%), with 20% from nonprofit. Survey participants also included government agencies and educational institutions. The majority of businesses (62%) have been in existence for more than 10 years.

Benefit Programs
Benefit programs often include a variety of health promotion elements. The available benefit options supporting health behaviors are show in Figure 1. Additional benefits cited by respondents included compensation for biking/walking to work and discounted passes to a fitness center.

Healthy Lifestyle Programs, Culture and Facilities
With more companies taking an interest in encouraging healthy lifestyles for their employees, we inquired about the types of programs and supportive environment in worksites. Of the programs offered, flexible work schedule is by far the most common program, as shown in Figure 2.

Other options offered by companies included a running club, chair massage, flu shots, biometric screenings, dance classes and CPR workshops.

Creating a culture in the work place that encourages and supports a healthy lifestyle takes several forms. Vacations, work/life balance and volunteer participation are regular practices of our survey participants. One Cambridge company makes bikes available for local transportation or errands. The facilities that are available in a worksite can also encourage healthy behaviors. Cambridge businesses offer a variety of facilities as shown in Figure 4.

Benefits of Wellness Programs
Cambridge businesses saw numerous benefits to the wellness programs they offered, with increased worker productivity being the most significant benefit. Other benefits are shown in Figure 5.

Respondents indicated numerous benefits to employees, including less stress, improved morale and productivity and overall happier employees. Based on these responses, worksite wellness programs might be a good “recession” strategy to improve employee productivity.

Unmet Needs in Cambridge Businesses
One of the objectives of this survey was to gather ideas on areas of interest to Cambridge businesses in worksite wellness programs and to identify unmet needs. Survey responses indicated the need for educational resources and networks opportunities. Specific suggestions included:
• Sponsor health fairs, where practitioners’ offerings can be experienced/sampled.
• Submit health and wellness articles for the newsletter.
• Offer an educational series to create awareness about worksite wellness programs.
• Develop a network or roster of wellness services, with discounts for Chamber members.
• Publicize or organize events such as walks and blood drives.
• Advocate on behalf of members with City for increased bike lanes and bike parking
• Share information about what other companies are doing and highlight effective programs.
• Share resources from larger organizations with smaller organizations, such as access to a yoga class.
• Sponsor competitions between businesses.

The survey validated the need for a variety of collaborative initiatives that will bring health and wellness business-to-business resources together. The CCC’s Health Workplace Committee, consisting of representatives from a variety of Cambridge-area health and wellness resources, will review the information gathered in this survey and prepare recommendations on future programming.
Mari Ryan, CEO of Advancing Wellness, is a member of the CCC’s Health Workplace Committee.


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