Monetary rewards keep Arpin workers well

A Healthy Thought:
“We wanted to engage employees in their health care expenses.” 
ChristinA Sarza
Director of human resources
A Healthy Thought: “We wanted to engage employees in their health care expenses.” ChristinA Sarza Director of human resources

Taryn Plumb
Contributing Writer
At Arpin Group, keeping healthy pays off – literally.
Over the past three years, the West Warwick-headquartered moving and storage-services company has gifted more than $284,000 to workers as a reward for taking control of their own health.
“We wanted to engage employees in their health care expenses, make them more aware, and provide a positive work environment,” said Christina Sarza, director of human resources.
Through the program, dollar values are applied to five health incentives: an online health care assessment; annual physical; annual dental cleaning; biometrics screening and a tobacco-free commitment (for both smokers and nonsmokers). Once an employee completes each task, money is deposited into their health savings account. Achieving all fives earns employees an additional bonus, as well as a reduction to their yearly premium, Sarza said.
The program has been quite a success. Participation rates jumped from 50 percent of the company’s 235 employees in 2012 to more than 80 percent in 2013.
As Sarza pointed out, those who don’t participate end up paying 40 percent more for their premiums.
Arpin also offers on-site vaccinations and smoking-cessation programs; covers registration fees for road races and similar events; and hired a food truck to offer healthier lunch options.
“We are known for ‘creating customers for life,’ ” Sarza said, “and we believe in ‘creating healthy employees for life.’ ”

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