Agenda - 02-15-2011 - 4g - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Employee Interest 9 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? Gau ing Employee and Management Interest and Perceptions Over 90% of employees completed a Health Assessment through the www.myciana.com website between July 2009 and March 2010. 86% of employees expressed interest in making changes to improve their health, with 85% wishing to increase their level of physical activity. 73% indicated an interest in losing weight and over 60% wished to improve their cholesterol. Based on the Health Assessment, the primary risks faced by employees, in order of frequency, are: 1. Weight 2. Blood Pressure 3. Stress These results are comparable to those of the Health Assessments completed in 2005, which was funded by NCACC. The risk factors have remained constant. A survey completed in August 2009 highlighted the fact that most employees (61 % of survey participants) are aware that eating smart and moving more are ways in which they can improve their health and reduce health care costs and wish to make lifestyle changes. The 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 have a better quality of life, be more productive and reduce absenteeism at work. The County's goat is 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 communication plan will assist with educating employees about the wellness program, how do you currently inform employees about activities or policies? Communication Orange SL{CE (Successful Lifestyles Initiatives for County Employees) is the name of Orange County's Wellness Program. ft has been a consistent sponsor of wellness activities, and is a familiar name to most employees. Employees are continuously informed of wellness activities through various marketing channels. Information is shared by the Employee Relations Consortium Representative from each department; mass emails are sent and shared with those who do not have email; and paycheck stuffers are distributed to all staff. Messages are shared in the employee newsletter; posters/flyers are posted in common areas of county buildings and information displays are set up at county employee events;