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local area spotlight Alsons Corporation gives employees incentives for healthy initiatives in the workplace The American Cancer Society created a Workplace Solutions program knowing that a significant impact can be made by addressing key prevention areas within the workplace. The program equips employers with wellness and cancer solutions geared towards addressing the main areas of prevention with evidence based solutions known to have an impact on the overall health of a workforce. Alsons Corporation based in Hillsdale, Michigan is a 5-star Workplace Solutions investor with ACS. Established in 1958, the corporation manufactures faucets and other bath related home improvement projects. Alsons now has nearly 150 employees, and they participated in the Society’s Active for Life employee wellness program in 2007. The 10-week flexible program encourages employees to be more active on a regular basis by setting individual goals and forming teams for motivation and support.  This year, Alsons employees decided to start a "Fit Club" because they wanted to challenge themselves even more. The requirements for the Fit Club are 30 minutes of exercise three times per week, a blood pressure check, a monthly weigh-in, and meeting with a personal trainer weekly.
Alsons has a Wellness Committee made up of about 10 people that are building and maintaining healthy initiatives among staff. These healthy changes are more of a grassroots effort, as they are embraced by employees and encouraged to stick to it by the Wellness Committee, rather than management telling employees what they should do about their health. Alsons is also making it easier for employees to make healthier choices. They replaced some vending machine options with healthier choices, and held a "Biggest Loser" challenge last year with cash prizes for the top three employees who lost the most weight. There is a weekly "lunch and learn" session with speakers and informational material, and a "Walk-Out" after lunch each day. These and other activities encourage employees to stay motivated and maintain these healthy lifestyles.Using ACS Workplace Solutions tools, Alsons encourages prevention and early detection, and health and wellness. If employees participate in a health risk assessment, they are given a credit on their health insurance premium. They are also given a credit if they are a non-smoker. For employees who do smoke, Alsons promotes tobacco cessation through 1-800-ACS-2345, and is interested in implementing the Society’s Fresh Start program. All of the techniques and activities in Fresh Start contain the most effective elements to successfully quit smoking. On top of all the exciting Workplace Solutions activities going on at Alsons, they also raise about $10,000 each year for the Relay For Life of Hillsdale County. The company matches funds that the employees raise, showing their true support for ACS and rewarding their employees for taking initiative. "Healthier employees are happier," said Leann King, Vice President, Administration. "We want people to be healthy and happy at work and at home. It has changed our focus as a company as far as [helping] people to make better choices." For more information on your American Cancer Society's Health and Wellness programs, please visit www.acsworkplacesolutions.com or contact your local ACS staff partner. | |
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