Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/668965
health-insurance provider or other a third party). • Send nutrition boxes to drivers to encourage better eating habits on the road. • Use technology to heighten awareness, provide training and engage workers. Online platforms such as Stay Metrics' Wellness Training Module for motor carriers offer educational videos and incorporate gaming, animation, rewards, feedback and learning assessment. • Provide wearable devices. Choices such as Fitbit monitor prog- ress toward eating and exercise goals and allow people to com- pete in health competitions with friends, family and co-workers. • Facilitate employee communication. "Wingman" programs pair employees for advice and encouragement, and you can develop a system for drivers to share helpful information such as which truck stops offer the best walking areas and food options. • Provide facts on the effects of smoking and reward drivers for quitting. To lengthen and improve employees' lives and lower health-care costs Numerous studies have confi rmed the effectiveness of employer-spon- sored health and wellness programs. Authors of the 2013 Workplace Wellness Programs Study, one of the most com- prehensive analyses, concluded: "Wellness programs can help contain the current epi- demic of lifestyle-related diseases, the main driver of premature morbidity and mortality as well as health-care cost in the United States." Employers surveyed as part of the study said workplace wellness programs reduce medical costs, absenteeism and health- related productivity losses. 2 To lengthen and improve employees' lives 2 To lengthen and improve employees' lives Numerous studies have confi rmed the effectiveness of employer-spon- 2 Numerous studies have confi rmed the effectiveness of employer-spon- 2 sored health and wellness programs. Authors of the 2013 Workplace 2 sored health and wellness programs. Authors of the 2013 Workplace Wellness Programs Study, one of the most com- 2 Wellness Programs Study, one of the most com- Wellness Programs Study, one of the most com- 2 Wellness Programs Study, one of the most com- prehensive analyses, concluded: "Wellness 2 prehensive analyses, concluded: "Wellness To improve your company's safety record and lower insurance and workers' compensation costs According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, workplace health programs lower insurance and workers' com- pensation costs across industries. They can be particularly bene- fi cial for transportation companies. An employee suffering a heart attack or stroke while sitting behind a desk is one thing; an employee experiencing an inca- pacitating health event while sitting behind the wheel of a loaded 18-wheeler traveling down a public roadway is some- thing else entirely. For even greater benefi ts in the areas of safety, insurance and workers' compensation costs, consider adding an injury and ill- ness prevention component to your health and wellness program. For guidance, see osha.gov/dsg/topics/safetyhealth. Because employees need and want your help Drivers face daunting obstacles to staying fi t. Most are aware of chronic diseases such as sleep apnea, diabetes and hypertension because they undergo a physical exam every two years to main- tain their CDLs. What they and other employees often lack is the support and education needed to help them choose and maintain healthier lifestyles. Carroll Fulmer Logistics invited Pete Thomas, a winner of "The Biggest Loser," to its campus as part of the company's wellness program. "He was a great inspiration on how to make being healthy fun and easy by his hands-on approach to eating right and exercising," Vanover says. "To date, our company has lost sev- eral hundred pounds. We have had par- ticipation from offi ce staff, shop employees and drivers." 4 Drivers face daunting obstacles to staying fi t. Most are aware of 4 Drivers face daunting obstacles to staying fi t. Most are aware of chronic diseases such as sleep apnea, diabetes and hypertension 4 chronic diseases such as sleep apnea, diabetes and hypertension because they undergo a physical exam every two years to main- 4 because they undergo a physical exam every two years to main- 4 tain their CDLs. What they and other employees often lack is the 4 tain their CDLs. What they and other employees often lack is the support and education needed to help them choose and maintain 4 support and education needed to help them choose and maintain Better retention and recruitment Thirty percent of drivers think their career is taking a toll on their health, per survey data collected by Stay Metrics. By dedicating com- pany time and resources to improving employees' health, you send a clear and sincere message that you understand their con- cerns and care about their wellbeing. And that's a clean bill of health for both the company and the driver. 3 To improve your 3 To improve your company's safety 3 company's safety record and lower 3 record and lower insurance and 3 insurance and 5 Better retention and recruitment 5 Better retention and recruitment Thirty percent of drivers think their career is taking a toll on their 5 Thirty percent of drivers think their career is taking a toll on their health, per survey data collected by 5 health, per survey data collected by Stay Metrics. By dedicating com- 5 Stay Metrics. By dedicating com- pany time and resources to 5 pany time and resources to improving employees' health, you 5 improving employees' health, you send a clear and sincere message 5 send a clear and sincere message that you understand their con- 5 that you understand their con- 2 0 1 6 V 1 | BULLDOG | 1 9