Fiscal fitness a part of health picture at Gilbane

A Healthy Thought:
“People are losing weight. They’re reducing stress. They’re feeling better.”
Lisa Holland
Wellness consultant
A Healthy Thought: “People are losing weight. They’re reducing stress. They’re feeling better.” Lisa Holland Wellness consultant

Many companies that are working to control health care costs now seek personal information on employees. They ask workers to fill in voluntary health assessments, or get their blood pressure checked at office clinics.
Gilbane Inc., based in Providence, goes further. It is asking staff about money problems. As part of its employee wellness campaign, Gilbane has the Fidelity Investments consultants who manage their 401(k) plan visit the office to run financial planning classes.
“There’s a connection between good health habits and having more money in your pocket,” said Lisa Holland, a wellness consultant hired by Gilbane.
As a building company, Gilbane is well aware of worksite safety risks. “We make sure people are informed about how to lift correctly,” Holland says. “We’ve implemented a stretch and flex program, reminding people to take short exercise breaks during the day.”
The company program addresses all the usual fitness issues – diet, exercise and smoking. If workers do puff, they’re told to enroll in a cessation program. The vendors who stock Gilbane snack machines are told they must include at least five items that are low in fat and high in protein.
“Our latest employee survey shows most understand why Gilbane is offering these programs,” Holland said. “They get that the company is trying to control health care costs. People are losing weight. They’re reducing stress. They’re feeling better.”

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