Petaluma’s Workrite Ergonomics wins Healthiest Companies in the North Bay award

PETALUMA - Workrite Ergonomics is an internationally recognized leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative ergonomic products for the workplace.

“Wellness is the cornerstone of our business, so creating a integrated wellness program for our team was a natural fit,” said Melissa Morelli in human resources. “Our President, Charles Lawrence, is passionate about wellness. He runs, takes walks with his wife and is a role model for our staff.”

Variety is the draw of this program. “We continue to reinvent sponsored activities, health topics and participation standards to keep our program fresh and inviting. Workrite’s wellness program allows us to demonstrate the importance play-at-work has on overall employee well-being and balance.”

Introduction to the program starts during new hire orientation and is followed by weekly emails filled with upcoming events, healthy tips, recipes and motivational quotes.

Since the July 2014 program launch, Workrite has held 35 Lunch n’ Learn sessions, 10 workplace challenges and six ping pong tournaments. Weekly events include champion meetings, chair massages and spirit days to raise awareness of various causes.

Fun activities include a workplace Olympics, long-jump competitions in the break room, and even a rubber band archery contest.

There are healthy items in the vending machine and sugar-free candy options at the front desk. Employees subscribing to a farm delivery service can order fruit and vegetable boxes received weekly or twice a month.

Workrite employees have access to OnSite Wellness, a third party web portal, by going to computer kiosks in the break room and in Human Resources to log in and track points and to view more than 30 online educational topics.

Some 55 percent of the workforce is on track to receive a yearly wellness participation bonus up to $250 in 2017 based on earning 1,100 wellness points during 2016. Employees earn points by participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Day; Stress Awareness; a 21-Day Gratitude Mini-Challenge, as well as the North Bay Science Discovery Day and by engaging in other activities.

According to Morelli, grateful people tend to have 10 percent fewer stress-related illnesses and 12 percent lower blood pressure. Saying “thank-you” rapidly strengthens feelings of connection and satisfaction between people in relationships, and those who write down what they’re grateful for can reduce their risk of heart disease and get better sleep.

“Some people have made great strides in weight management and by getting diabetes under control.”