Agenda - 10-20-2009 - 4d - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 1 The HR Benefits Manager will promote health related benefits, provide needed statistics and claims information and assist Wellness Coordinator in promoting employee wellness activities (average of four hours a month). Wellness Committee members are also committed to assisting the Wellness Coordinator in promotion and coordination of wellness program activities and sharing staff feedback regarding employee wellness needs and interests. 5. Employee Interest What are the needs and interest of employees and management and their perceptions of workplace wellness? What methods will be used (or have been used already) to determine what activities will engage employees of the wellness program? -- _Gauging Employee and Management Interest and Perceptions In past Wellness surveys, employees expressed interest in opportunities to learn more about nutrition and physical activity; and department heads perceived diet/overweight and inactivity as the top two health issues within their departments. In 2005, a pilot wellness program, funded by NCACC, conducted various interests' surveys, offered the County's first HRA, and brought attention to the need for holistic and consistent Wellness programming. Of those employees completing the HRA, 79% had BMI >25; 72% need to improve nutrition; 62% need to improve fitness; 47% had high cholesterol; and 32% had elevated blood pressure levels. Of those employees completing the 2007 HRA, 67% had a BMI > 25; 70% need to improve nutrition; 58% show need for improved fitness; 40% had high cholesterol; and 17% had elevated blood pressure levels. A recent survey completed in August 2009 highlighted the fact that most employees (61 % of survey participants) are aware that eating smart and moving more are possible ways in which they can improve their health and reduce health care costs and wish to make lifestyle changes. The Interim County Manager would like to offer wellness activities that would lead to a reduction in health care costs. The Health Director and the Human Resources Director are interested in keeping employees healthy so they can be more productive and have a better quality of life, and reduce absenteeism at work. The Benefits Manager perceives that health insurance by itself minimally keeps employees healthy. The Wellness Coordinator and other Health Promotion Staff and the HR Benefits Manager also would like to improve the quality of life of Orange County employees through prevention efforts and behavior change. 6. Communication Employees need to know about the program and schedule of activities in order to make decisions about participating. Employees also need to know about the central issue or problem identified that is a trigger for the wellness program being introduced. What 0 NCACC Risk Management: 215 N. Dawson St., Raleigh, NC 27603 ~ Phone: 919-719-1100 ~ Fax: 919-719-1101 7