There are steps a business owner can take to help employees:
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1. Provide healthy food options in the break room or vending machine
As a healthy and alternative option, some vending machine companies now offer such choices as baby carrots and celery, hummus, sliced apples and oranges, fresh mango, watermelon and pineapple chunks, peach smoothies and roasted edamame.
“Swapping out salty foods and sugary drinks with healthier snacks is a step in the right direction,” said Gene Rapisardi, Nevada market president and general manager for Cigna.
It all starts with employers listening to their staffs, and then doing something about it.
“Employees beginning to request healthier things shows that people want to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Michael Murphy, president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Nevada. “And that’s refreshing.
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2. If you’re sick, stay home
“Don’t be a hero,” said Donald Kowitz, president and chief executive officer for St. Mary’s Health Plans. “You don’t want an employee who is genuinely sick to cough and sneeze in your office and spread germs unnecessarily.”
A sick employee who comes to work could lead to other employees missing time from the office later that week, he said. Supervisors should send sick employees home if that’s potentially the case.
Everyone receives sick time with his or her benefits — use it, several experts said.
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3. Post signs about washing hands in the restroom
Sounds simple enough, right? But that little cue can go a long way in preventing the spread of germs in your office, Kowitz said.
“Sometimes employees just need that little reminder,” he said. “It’s not a hard and fast rule to prevent the spread of germs in your office, but every little bit helps.”
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4. Establish a smoking-free zone around the building
Smoking cessation is one of the toughest things for an employer to battle, and tobacco use can lead to numerous other health issues, Murphy said.
“Having a smoke-free zone around your office building can help,” he said. “Sometimes if you just make that person walk X number of yards for that cigarette, they start to realize that it’s not worth it.”
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5. Establish an on-site cafeteria or meals program
Some larger companies may already have an on-site cafeteria. If that’s the case, give employees a 10 percent discount off their meal if they choose the salad bar over the French fries, Murphy said.
“Sometimes just giving people that choice, helps lead them to making the right choices,” he said.
If a cafeteria isn’t in your company’s plan, take the opportunity to have healthy meals delivered to the office at least a couple of times a week.
“Invest locally to provide better, healthier foods for employees,” Rapisardi said. “Employers can even start slow with one or two days a week and try to build up the interest with their employees.”