What 'healthy' company benefits would you value most?

JammieDodger

If you could choose a healthy benefit for where you work, what would it be?

I am trying to think of some for my company. We already have a subsidised gym (but no one uses it because it's too complicated) so we are simplifying it, but our mgmt have asked if there are any other benefits they can negotiate for us that are 'healthier'. There has been a need identified for something to improve the work/life balance, but we don't know what's best. It might be paid in full by the company (a multinational, so they could potentially afford anything) and here are some of the existing ideas. We need more though!

* Free fruit for your office
* Free health/dental plan
* Gym classes at your desk (ie light yoga/stretching/exercising for 10 minutes before or after work)
* Stop-smoking classes
* relaxation/meditation classes
* subsided massage

Any other ideas? The more novel, the better!

JammieDodger

ab7167

Google "fitbug". It's a pedometer that you can upload statistics to a computer from. I had one a few years ago, and IIRC you can create your own league tables etc to encourage people to walk more. Then you can set up lunchtime group walks and compete company wide for maybe a nominal prize each month? Should appeal to more people than a gym possibly?

emilyteach1

JammieDodger wrote: »

If you could choose a healthy benefit for where you work, what would it be?

I am trying to think of some for my company. We already have a subsidised gym (but no one uses it because it's too complicated) so we are simplifying it, but our mgmt have asked if there are any other benefits they can negotiate for us that are 'healthier'. There has been a need identified for something to improve the work/life balance, but we don't know what's best. It might be paid in full by the company (a multinational, so they could potentially afford anything) and here are some of the existing ideas. We need more though!

* Free fruit for your office
* Free health/dental plan
* Gym classes at your desk (ie light yoga/stretching/exercising for 10 minutes before or after work)
* Stop-smoking classes
* relaxation/meditation classes
* subsided massage

Any other ideas? The more novel, the better!

JammieDodger

Hiya.

I'd say no to the stop smoking classes. I am an ex-smoker, but there's so much NHS help these days, and if you're successful at quitting, it's such a short term thing that I wouldn't consider it a very good benefit!

The sensible voice in my head would choose the health/dental plan, provided it didn't cost me anything

Gym / yoga at my desk, hmmm, a good idea, but I'd only take it if it was to be done inside working hours, on the company's clock . Getting in 10 mins early or leaving 10 mins later isn't everyone's cup of tea. The same applies for relaxation/meditation.

I wouldn't grumble at a subsidised massage, the last time I worked in an office setting, people paid good money for regular massages provided by local spa staff, so that could go down quite well.

Free fruit would be a good'n for me, as I love fruit, but I'd want a wide and generous selection, not just a wrinkled apple and a bruised banana

So, health/dental as a first choice, free fruit as a second.

PasturesNew

Annualised hours, giving people more freedom to work the hours the job needs ... and not fret they'll be sacked if they're 3 minutes late.

bengalknights

heath/dental plan and some under desk pedals so i can pretend im cycling instead of working

V_Chic_Chick

- Cycle discount scheme? One well known employer has negotiated 15% off bikes & bike equipment with Halfords, so perhaps you could do the same?
- Subsidised food in the canteen - but only healthy stuff e.g. fruit would be labelled with a green sticker & heavily subsidised, but chips would not.

I'm not so sure about the stop smoking classes - surely the NHS offers them anyway?

highguyuk

Surely your company as a multi-national are aware of the Bike 2 Work scheme which your company can run for you?

http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

Oldernotwiser

Private health insurance or at least reduced rates.

Proppo

highguyuk wrote: »

Surely your company as a multi-national are aware of the Bike 2 Work scheme which your company can run for you?

http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

This is the best idea in my eyes.

I've recently bought a bike and have been cycling everywhere, not only does it save on fuel etc, it's green for the environment and it is a very good way to keep fit. So it's a perfect idea!

heretolearn_2

to improve health
health/dental without doubt, nothing else comes close
free fruit, ok, if good selection and fresh
Give-up--smoking bounty payment!


to improve work/life balance
sabaticals scheme
duvet days - up to 2/3 last minute days off per year, don't need to be booked as holiday or taken as sick.
flexible hours
childcare vouchers
summer bash - NOT training, not team building, juat a nice family day out i.e. all expenses paid day at theme park for them, partner and kidss, on a work day (school holidays)
official charity/support of volunteering

paulwf

A cycling to work initiative can save people time and money as well as improving health so it can have more benefits than some of the other ideas (nothing wrong with the other suggestions though). It may also save the company money if they have limited parking space or have to subsidise travel in various ways whereas the other schemes cost the company money.

I would urge that if you go ahead you think about the whole package so it might be best to get some existing cycling commuters on board. If it is done purely as a box ticking exercise and a token effort is made -just put in a bike rack or set up cyclescheme - it will probably fail.

Cyclescheme can be good as it cuts the cost of bike ownership. Adequate secure and weather protected bike storage is a must...about 10 bikes can fit in 1 car space at a push so it doesn't take up much room. Lockers or some additional storage space for bike gear (especially if it is wet) would really help. Showers are good after a long commute. Even things like relaxing dress codes if possible (carrying a suit on a bike isn't always easy) can make a difference.

If you really get into it then highlighting local bike routes, getting bike shops to do free safety checks, and running bike week events is all possible but that probably requires getting someone to help out in their spare time.