A healthy focus, no ifs, and no butts, either

A Healthy Thought:
“The company is doing this strictly for the employees. … We are striving to make this a healthier place to work.”
Jillian O’Connor
Occupational health nurse
A Healthy Thought: “The company is doing this strictly for the employees. … We are striving to make this a healthier place to work.” Jillian O’Connor Occupational health nurse

Indoor smoking long has been banned at most Rhode Island workplaces. Amtrol Inc., a West Warwick company that manufactures storage tanks and water heaters, has gone further. As of July 1, cigarettes are prohibited everywhere across the campus, inside or out.
Jillian O’Connor, an occupational health nurse employed at Amtrol, insists there have been very few complaints. To help employees adjust to the change, the company provides the nicotine patch for free, and holds a complimentary smoking-cessation support group.
“We have some 30-year smokers who’ve been able to break the habit, and now they’re encouraging others,” O’Connor said. That kind of effort has made Amtrol one of the most health-conscious employers in Rhode Island. And it doesn’t end there. Health education programs are regular events.
February is Go Red month, to promote awareness of women’s health issues, with free fruit and blood pressure screening tests. In September there are hearing tests. And occasionally massage professionals visit to help employees reduce stress.
Amtrol even uses fitness programs to build team spirit. Every year there’s a ShapeUp Rhode Island campaign, with employee teams keeping track of their miles walked. Walk the furthest and your team wins prizes. Employees are dropping pounds in a weight-loss contest, too. Every competitor puts $10 in a pot, with the cash going to the biggest losers.
“The company is doing this strictly for the employees,” said O’Connor. “We are striving to make this a healthier place to work.”

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