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Original Date: 07/08/2003
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Best Practice : Employee Health and Fitness
In Tolerance developed and implemented an employee health and fitness program that benefits not only employees, but employees’ families, the company, and the community. Through the expansion of a conventional health and fitness program to an overall quality-of-life program, the company has helped ensure a healthy and dedicated workforce.
In Tolerance developed an employee health and fitness program to assist with the well-being of its employees and their families. The original purpose of the program was to promote good health among employees and minimize sick time usage. The program expanded over time to become a quality-of-life and family enrichment program, which includes spouses, significant others, and family members in the benefits and administration of the program.
One of the first employee health and fitness issues addressed was the initiation of a smoking cessation program for those employees who wished to stop smoking. Realizing it was more difficult for a person to stop smoking whose spouse or significant other smoked, In Tolerance included those family members in the program if they so desired. The company realized that not everyone stops smoking on the first, second, or even third try. Therefore, In Tolerance did not limit the smoking cessation initiative to just once; instead, it pays for repeated cessation programs. Another health and fitness initiative undertaken was to build and equip a fitness center for all employees and their families. Personal trainers were hired to help the employees and family members develop fitness programs and learn the proper use of the equipment. Recognizing that quality-of-life issues outside of work have an effect on the physical well being of the employee, In Tolerance has implemented numerous other initiatives to assist employees and family members including:
Fully paid, yearly physical examinations for every employee and family member
Company paid flu shots for all employees and their spouse or significant other
Employee safety meetings to discuss workplace and home safety
CPR training and re-certification on an ongoing basis, along with basic first aid training
In Tolerance also encourages community involvement by their employees. As an incentive to get and keep employees active in service organizations and programs (e.g., Rotary, Lions, Sertoma, United Way), In Tolerance pays monthly dues for those employees involved in such organizations and activities. Other employee benefits include personal use of machining equipment, company tools, and company vehicles after normal working hours; regularly planned family social events; and the Leisure Credit System. This is a unique benefit which allows hourly employees to earn additional paid time off from work over and above normal vacation time. This time off can be used for any personal reason (e.g., doctor or dental appointment, late for work), and the employee can request and receive full hourly pay for any unused Leisure Credit hours remaining at the end of the year.
In Tolerance’s employee health and fitness program and quality-of-life initiatives are numerous. Several employees have quit smoking, more employees are involved in their community activities, employee morale and retention are high (employees average more than 16 years of service), absenteeism due to illness and lost time due to workplace accidents are low. In Tolerance’s investments in its employees’ overall health has greatly benefited the company, the employee, their families, and the community.
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