Worksite Wellness SC Governors Cabinet Agencies Jennifer Read
Worksite Wellness SC Governor’s Cabinet Agencies Jennifer Read, MPA Public Health Outreach Director December 3, 2014
Cost-Effective Impact § Focusing on areas where we can make the most difference at little to no cost for cabinet agencies § Developed from the perspective of an agency with no dedicated staff or financial resources for worksite wellness
How We Can Help § Policy templates that can be modified to meet the needs of each cabinet agency § Free resources to help cabinet agencies communicate policies to employees § Free consultative services with programspecific experts in breastfeeding, physical activity, and tobacco prevention
Creating A Healthier State
Impact of Breastfeeding § Breastfeeding is an effective, evidence-based strategy to fight childhood obesity § About 70% of employed mothers with children under 3 work full time § Lack of flexibility for milk expression in their work schedule has been identified as a major barrier to working women breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Assessment § None of the cabinet agencies had a formal breastfeeding policy
Breastfeeding Policy § Provides working mothers with a dedicated space and supportive environment to express milk during work hours § Encourages workers and their supervisors to work together to establish mutually convenient break times for milk expression
Breastfeeding Materials § § § One-page overview Policy FAQs for HR Sample email Door hanger and posters
Encouraging Physical Activity § Getting 30 minutes of physical activity a day: § Lowers the risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure § Improves productivity § Does not require supplying gym memberships or employer-led activities
Physical Activity Assessments § 11% of cabinet agencies use motivational or point-of-decision signs to encourage employees to be more physically active § 28% of cabinet agencies offer flexible hours to schedule physical activity
Physical Activity Policy § Allows workers to request to combine their two 15 -minute breaks up to 3 times per week to encourage physical activity § An “Employee Request for Physical Activity Time” form is submitted to an employee’s supervisor to request permission; agreement is reviewed annually
Physical Activity Materials § § § One-page overview Policy Employee Request Form FAQs for Employees Sample email Signage
Impact of Tobacco Use on SC § Smoking costs South Carolina almost $5 billion annually, including: § $1. 6 billion in direct health care costs § $1 billion in lost productivity
Impact of Tobacco Use on Employers § Tobacco users miss 2. 3 more days each year due to sickness than non-tobacco users § Employees who take four 10 -minute breaks a day to smoke work about 1 month less per year than workers who don’t take smoke breaks § The average tobacco user costs an employer nearly $6, 000 per year
Impact of Tobacco Use on Employers § Employees exposed to secondhand smoke on the job are: § 12 -19% more likely to get lung cancer § At a 25 -35% increased risk of heart attack
Impact of Tobacco Use on Employers § Nonsmoking employees can receive workers’ comp, unemployment comp, disability benefits and settlements based upon exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace. § Going tobacco-free reduces liability and potential property damage: in 2012 smoking caused 16 fires in non-residential buildings.
Tobacco Assessments § 56% of agencies did not have a tobacco-free campus policy § Biggest barriers identified: § Don’t know how to get started § Lack of financial resources
Tobacco-Free Campus Policy § Modeled after successful policies developed by two other state agencies: USC and MUSC. § Bans all tobacco products, including ecigarettes and chew. § Defines property regardless of whether owned or leased.
Intent of the Policy § Create an environment that is conducive to quitting tobacco § Promote the prevention of tobacco use § Prevent the risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke
Tobacco-Free Campus Materials § § § One-page overview Policy FAQs for HR and for Employees Sample email Signage, flyers and posters
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