LNW Workplace Wellness
Healthy employees make great companies and institutions! They have lots of energy, have a great attitude and spirit, feel cared for by upper management, and call out sick far less often.
Next to our homes, our workplaces are where we often spend the most time in our lives. If you don't work at home, you're at the mercy of your employer to make this a healthy environment. What good does it do to have kale salads and protein and spinach smoothies at home, just to go to work and be met with doughnuts, vending machine junk food and be discouraged for trying to exercise through your lunch break? How helpful is it if you're so fit and healthy at home, but then at work, they give you no time to eat or exercise?
Cathy Hains, the dietitian at Lighthouse Nutrition & Wellness couldn't empathize more! She has seen so many clients in this situation, and it's high time we worked all together to do something about it!
On the other hand, does your workplace or one you know of, shine as a great example in the areas of health and wellness, for all its employees to see? Let us know! We're building an LNW Workplace Wellness Certification Program that will honor these locations!
8 Cornerstones of a Healthy Workplace
1. A "Real" Lunch Break
The company or organization promotes a 30-60 minute (60 minutes or more preferable) lunch, and doesn't support a culture of working straight through their lunch time, using most of the lunch break for work, or favoring those who do so.
2. Nice & Practical Break Room
Has a break room with enough appliances for healthy meal preparation - refrigerator and freezer space for employees to bring in their meals with a good cleanout policy posted; other examples- one or more microwave ovens, toaster ovens, etc., with safety measures in place.
3. Health-Conscious Celebrations
Their policy and/or culture encourages employees to bring healthier treat options (light versions of recipes, ones that use a lot of fruit and vegetables, etc.) Ex- Potlucks are kept to a minimum (ex, once a month or less often) and birthday celebrations are combined into once a month celebrations. Company parties reflect the commitment to good nutrition by not focusing on red meat and sugary foods (example, no company red meat BBQ), fat, fried foods and excessive refined sweets. They implement as much nutrition as possible into the fare provided, while still providing a celebratory style of food choices.
4. Healthy Snacks
Vending machines or foods/treats/drinks sold/stocked onsite for employees provide healthy options.
5. Adequate Rest Areas
Ideally there is a good location(s) for employees to take breaks and eat inside and ideally outside as well. In areas with a lot of sun and/or rain, covered outdoor areas are provided.
6. General Health Education
There are nutrition and wellness posters or other displays are posted in the break room, reminding employees of workplace culture and healthy eating. Possibly a newsletter is sent out including different topics on health and nutrition. Nutrition education is provided in the way of brochures or lunch and learns, videos (perhaps with incentives for passing a quiz) and more.
7. Excels in Exercise Promotion
Fitness is encouraged and fitness opportunities exist with features such as company gym, sidewalks and/or trails, and other fitness benefits. If a worker wants to bring exercise equipment to their office or a standing desk or small treadmill, all these are acceptable and even encouraged as long as liability protections are put in place.
8. Leans on Expert Guidance
A corporate wellness registered dietitian is hired when needed, ideally to check in on regular basis, to help the workplace employ all the above policies, and to help individual employees as needed.
See if your business is listed below! If it meets these criteria, please let us know to add it!
Directory of WA Companies That Promote LNW Wellness
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Lighthouse Nutrition and Wellness, Gig Harbor, WA
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Tell the world about your company's wellness culture!
Is your company or agency meeting all eight of the above wellness approaches? LET US KNOW to get them in this directory and an honorary sticker mailed to them on us! Please contact us by clicking on the button below:
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