10 Ways to Keep Employees Healthy (and Contain Health Care Costs)
October 26, 2014 9:00 PM
Keeping down health care expenses by encouraging employees to live healthier lifestyles is a goal for many companies these days. Here are some of the interesting strategies that the Best Banks to Work For are using from exercise bonuses to walking meetings.
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Exercise Bonuses
Last year City Bank in Lubbock, Texas, paid $120,000 in bonuses and awarded roughly 4,000 hours of paid time off to employees that exercised, lost weight or maintained a healthy weight. Among the amenities it provides to employees is a walking track that winds through the top floor of the banks headquarters building.
First Internet Bank in Indianapolis also pays cash bonuses to those who commit to eating healthy and exercising during the holidays.
Best Banks to Work For:
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Workplace Health Gurus
Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville recently added a full-time wellness coordinator. Among other tasks, the coordinator organizes wellness events, such as Pinnacles annual 5K run, and maintains a wellness section on the banks intranet, a responsibility that includes blogging at least three times a week.
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Visiting Nurses
Once a month, a nurse from a local hospital makes the rounds at branches of United Community Bank of West Kentucky to check employees blood pressure, conduct screenings and answer questions.
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On-site Health Clinics
Centier Bank in Merrillville, Ind., opened a health clinic at its corporate headquarters last year and intends to set up additional clinics in other areas where it operates.
Centier foots the bill at the clinic for all employees and any dependents covered under the banks insurance plans. Nonetheless, the bank expects to save money, largely by avoiding claims.
Walking Meetings
Employees at CoBiz Financial are keeping fit by walking while they talk. A path through downtown Denver is a popular choice for their so-called walking meetings, including some led by CEO Steve Bangert. As part of an overall wellness initiative, employees also are leading yoga and stretching classes.
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Insurance Discounts
At Square 1 Bank in Durham, N.C., employees receive a 25% rollback on their insurance premiums if they complete 125 credits of wellness training through the insurers portal.
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Workplace Fitness Facilities
American Savings Bank in Honolulu has a LifeBalance room, which offers a variety of fitness classes throughout the week. Employees are free to use the room when classes are not in session as well.
Zions First National Bank just recently added a fitness center at its headquarters in Salt Lake City, and Live Oak Bank in Wilmington, N.C., also has one.
Best Banks to Work For:
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Fruit Stands
American Savings also promotes healthy eating and local farming by having produce delivered to several of its locations.
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Virtual Doctor Visits
Starting this fall, employees at BankPlus in Ridgeland, Miss., can use an office webcam to see doctors for ailments such as the flu, ear infections and poison ivy. Theres no charge to employees for the service, which the company hopes will lower absentee rates.
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Weigh Stations
BankPlus also provides scales and filtered water at all of its locations as a means of encouraging employees to monitor their weight and drink more water.
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