Workplace-wellness tips from 20 Healthiest Companies in the North Bay awards-winners
For the fifth year, the Business Journal is privileged to recognize North Bay companies and organizations that are taking workplace wellness to new levels.
The winners were selected by the Journal editorial staff from nominations submitted by the organizations. All nominees were required to complete a company survey that included questions about exercise programs, employee participation, healthy food initiatives and company policies that promote wellness. Congratulations to our 2015 recipients.
(Listed alphabetically)
Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.
Building a healthful and supportive work environment
Four-time winner
SANTA ROSA - Burr Pilger Mayer, or BPM, has established a comprehensive wellness program that includes dozens of ways its 50 North Bay employees can be healthy in a supportive environment.
“Our workplace wellness program lets employees know their health and overall wellness matters to us,” according to Carol O’Hara, managing partner of BPM’s North Bay region. “It enables us to provide education and counseling resources as well as physical, mental, and spiritual challenges that not only raise awareness and provide opportunities to make significant - and lasting - healthy life changes, but also help to keep medical costs down.”
More than 35 percent of employees participate in one or more physical activities and health education learning programs.
BPM offers staff members a Wellness Minute motivational, health-related email once a week. Lunch-and-Learn opportunities include guest speaker Heart Health talks, a Wednesday Wellness Walk group, flexible work schedules and a comprehensive health plan.
A computer tracking system helps employees monitor personal challenges and offers health reminders. The system displays articles on health topics and enables employees to speak confidentially with a health coach.
The company reports that overall employee biometric measurement results continue to improve each year, including better results in all risk areas such as BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose.
“As a result, BPM employees are engaged, productive and also promote health and wellness among their peers,” said Ted Grafe, partner and North Bay business development and marketing manager.
Employees who participate and reach set criteria can earn a reduction in their monthly benefit premiums - as well as raffle prizes - along with the satisfaction of knowing they are leading healthy lives.
“There is something for every age, activity level and position at BPM, and each year we look for more ways to incorporate wellness into the fabric of the BPM culture,” Grafe said.
Enphase Energy, Inc.
Onsite engagement promotes healthful behaviors at work
First-time winner
PETALUMA - Enphase Energy provides its employees with the wellness tools necessary to support the whole person, enabling each one to enjoy a better quality of life both at work and at home.
“We make access to wellness programs simpler for our employees so they can engage in healthy behaviors more easily,” said President and CEO Paul Nahi.
Enphase provides onsite Yoga classes each week, eFit workout classes twice a week, employee paid chair massages every two weeks, and annual free flu shot clinics.
The company has organized walking and biking clubs where anyone can participate. It offers discounts at local gyms, and conducts compelling corporate challenges at least once a year that include all of the firm’s offices in three different cities and four countries.
“We host an annual health fair to ensure that our employees have access to the latest information about their health benefits,” said Heidi Matteri, senior benefits administrator.
“In addition, we also invite representatives from community organizations to talk about resources available to our staff, including mental and emotional health services.”
During a recent six-week Corporate Fitness Challenge with Active Sports, Enphase employees logged 614 workouts, lost 97.2 pounds and 25.7 percent body fat. At the same time, employees gained a collective total of 20.61 pounds of muscle and lost 58.5 inches.
On a quarterly basis, Enphase conducts onsite Lunch-and-Learn sessions covering topics of interest to its workforce to help them stay abreast of the latest health and nutrition developments.
“At Enphase, we believe employees are our greatest shining assets, and we strive to keep them fully active in mind, heart and spirit - while also emphasizing the importance of a positive work-life balance,” Matteri said.
“We continue to see employees inspire and challenge each other to continue to workout and stay healthy.”