Gevity Partners With Olympic Athlete to Promote a Healthier Workforce and Reduce Healthcare Costs for Business Owners
13 Novembre 2008 - 10:35AM
Business Wire
Gevity (NASDAQ:GVHR), a leading professional employer organization
(PEO) that provides HR services to businesses nationwide, released
today workplace fitness tips from Olympian Trey Hardee along with
Gevity�s own �Workplace Fitness Tips for Better Business
Performance.� These tips are designed to help businesses get fit,
improve productivity and reduce healthcare costs. According to the
National Federation of Small Business, the cost of health care is
one of the biggest concerns small businesses face in running a
profitable business. In a survey of more than 3,500 small business
owners, 56 percent reported that the cost of health care was their
biggest concerns, followed by energy costs, taxes and interest
rates. An effective way to combat healthcare costs is to build a
healthier workforce. And research shows that fitness really does
pay off for businesses and for employees. People who exercised at
least eight times a month for a period of two years saw an overall
33.6 percent decrease in average healthcare claims costs, according
to a recent study conducted by Medica, a Minnesota-based, health
plan provider and non-profit corporation. With nearly 25 years of
experience in benefits administration, Gevity understands the value
of a healthy workforce. In partnering with Olympic decathlete Trey
Hardee, one of our country�s top athletes, Gevity has leveraged the
discipline and expertise of an Olympic athlete to develop business
tips that can help motivate and empower employees to get fit.
Hardee recently competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and
finished second in the decathlon at the 2008 Olympic Trials.
Hardee�s advice for incorporating fitness into your daily routine
is a straightforward, three-step process. Workplace Fitness Tips
from Olympian Trey Hardee 1. Make your health and fitness a
priority. 2. Set goals you can live with. 3. Stick to it � no
matter what. Hardee suggests that activity can become a part of
your everyday without making significant changes. �Instead of
playing a video game, take your children to skip rocks or go
hiking. Instead of investing in expensive fitness equipment, put on
your tennis shoes and run for 10 minutes one way and then back,�
Hardee said. �Changes like these don�t cost anything and will make
a big difference in the long run.� When it comes to setting goals
and achieving them, Hardee said, �It�s not magic, it�s about doing
all the little things right.� He recommends staying committed to
what�s important, noting that this will help you stay on track to
achieving your goals. Perhaps most importantly, Hardee believes
that inspiration must come from oneself. �You must make good
choices every day because you want to, not because someone else
wants you to,� Hardee said. �When I competed in the Olympics, I was
extremely proud to represent my country, and many people encouraged
me along the way. But when it came time to compete, I turned to my
own motivation for inspiration.� The Value of Fitness in the
Workplace Fitness benefits extend beyond one�s waistline and health
benefits. In the workplace, fitness levels improve employee morale
and business productivity, as well as reduce healthcare costs. �If
your workforce is healthier, you�re guaranteed to see a decline in
healthcare costs and absenteeism and a big boost in productivity.
The end result will be a higher performing, more profitable
business,� according to Chris Davis, Gevity Vice President of
Finance & Insurance Solutions. Furthermore, studies show that
70 to 80 percent of medical costs are associated with modifiable
risk factors such as obesity, smoking and stress. A mere seven
percent weight loss, among those considered obese, can reduce
claims costs significantly � by a staggering 30% or more. Workplace
fitness also is a morale booster. Human resource specialists report
that employees feel more valued when their employer takes an
interest in their health. Gevity Workplace Fitness Tips for Better
Business Performance 1. Start a walking program. Encourage
employees to get out and exercise together. Even without a health
club on site, employees can walk outside, climb the stairs during
lunch or bring a fitness instructor onsite a few times a week.
Physical activity will boost energy levels and productivity. And
exercising with fellow employees will encourage consistency and
encouragement. 2. Offer free water and healthy foods. Get rid of
the vending machines and stock your break rooms with a free water
cooler, or bottled water and nutritious snacks. Put out a donation
basket for employees to contribute to when they select an item. 3.
Offer discounts at local fitness clubs. Several healthcare plans,
including Gevity�s employee benefits programs, offer discounts for
participants who regularly use fitness clubs. Take advantage of
these arrangements and widely communicate them to your employees.
4. Partner with nearby restaurants. Check out the local hot spots
with the healthiest fare and inquire about employee discounts. If
you are in the restaurant industry, consider offering higher
employee discounts on your more nutritious offerings. 5. Celebrate
success. Consider running a fitness campaign or a contest with your
employees. Whether it�s losing weight, giving up smoking or
exercising more, encourage each employee to set a goal toward
overall better health. Offer incentives through rewards and
recognition programs for progress made. About Gevity A pioneer in
the professional employer organization (PEO) industry, Gevity
(NASDAQ:GVHR) helps clients focus their resources on running a
profitable business. With 25 years of service, Gevity delivers
solutions for employers nationwide through payroll, employee
benefits, risk management and HR services. For more information,
please visit www.gevity.com.
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