4 Retailers Embracing Health and Wellness Initiatives
By Alaina Lancaster on Apr. 05, 2018CHICAGO -- Convenience stores are bringing a philosophy of health consciousness to their human-resources departments to create more attractive, sustainable and wholesome workplaces.
In fact, the cost of productivity losses linked to absenteeism in the U.S. per employee is $1,685, or $225.8 billion annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, one-fifth of workers say they always go to work when they are ill, according to a 2016 Fast Company poll.
And 75% of employers say work-related stress is the No. 1 workplace health concern, surpassing physical inactivity and obesity, according to 2016 surveys by Willis Towers Watson.
Here are some ways operators are boosting employee health and morale ...
1. Maverik's premium on health
At Maverik, Salt Lake City, fulltime employees’ insurance coverage includes office visits, hospitalizations, emergency care, prescriptions, maternity and mental-health resources. Employees can arrange phone consultations with doctors and access to medical clinics around Salt Lake City. Staff can also take advantage of free annual screenings, nutritionist consultations and gym reimbursement programs.
About 80% of Maverik’s workforce is full time, and about 70% of the total workforce participates in health and dental plans, says Kim Lazerus, vice president of talent management for the nearly 300-unit chain.
While some Americans have reported rising healthcare premiums, Maverik staff haven’t seen an increase in premiums for the past three years because they’ve stayed relatively healthy. Lazerus recommends constant check-ins with workers to ensure the offerings stay relevant.
2. Family Express gets physical
All c-stores can contribute to the health of their workforce, said Alex Olympidis, president of operations for Valparaiso, Ind.-based Family Express, at CSP’s Outlook Leadership conference. For example, the chain’s 68 units are now smoke-free; Olympidis said the chain saw minimal turnover during the transition.
Family Express also offers healthful resources such as fresh fruit for store employees and access to a training facility in the corporate office, where a personal trainer visits three times a week. “These are tangible things for people who wouldn’t go out and buy a gym membership and certainly wouldn’t pay for a personal trainer,” Olympidis said. “It’s another recruiting tool.”
3. QuikTrip pumps up PTO
Generous paid-time-off packages have helped QuikTrip Corp., Tulsa, Okla., take the 86th spot on the 100 Best Places to Work annual ranking by employer review website Glassdoor. Workers get two weeks of paid time off, 10 days of paid sick leave and five personal days after a year of employment. Full-time staff can purchase five days of paid time off every six months, and store managers can buy up to one week of extra paid time off per year.
4. VERC wards off stress
VERC Enterprises, Duxbury, Mass., hopes to takes the edge off employees’ workdays via a new position dedicated to the pursuit: manager of training development and fun. In January, the chain celebrated “National Fun at Work Day” and encouraged team members to dress down. Stores can also choose a free individual breakfast, lunch or dinner for each employee, or a team meal. Corporate team members celebrate the holiday with lunch, casual clothes and a movie. Other events include sports dress-up days and ugly sweater contests for the holidays.