Worksite health promotion, Mar. 2008

"People often do what their leaders do, and not necessarily what their leaders say."
-Lee Kwok Cheong, National Computer Systems

Worksite Health Promotion

Vol 1, Issue 3 March 2008

Understanding the C-Suite

The "C-suite" refers to the group of executives who oversee the management of a company. Made up of "chief executive officers" (thus the reason for the name), the C-suite is an important group for the wellness professional to tap into, both for the establishment and maintenance of a successful worksite wellness program. If you have not heard of the term "C-suite," the following will help you to better understand who they are, how they think, and how they can be an ally in worksite health promotion.
C-Suite Members The members of the C-suite are generally the same, no matter the company or industry. They include the following:
The CEO, or Chief Executive Officer ,is the highest-ranking executive in a company. This individual reports to the board of directors and is the one to whom the other C-suite members report.
The CFO, or Chief Financial Officer, is charged primarily with managing the financial risks of the company. The CFO is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management.
The COO, or Chief Operations

Officer, is responsible for operations management. This is the person who oversees how business is conducted on a day-to-day basis. The CIO, or Chief Information Officer, oversees the information technology activities of the company. This role may overlap with that of the Chief Technology Officer. Others to consider as being part of the C-suite might include chief business development officer, chief development officer, chief knowledge officer, chief learning officer, chief strategy officer, chief risk officer, chief innovation process officer, chief credit officer, and chief creative officer.

The C-Suite Mindset As decision makers for the company, members of the C-suite are responsible for ensuring that the company remains viable, continues to be competitive, and generates increasing profit. No matter their title (CEO, CFO, COO or CIO), they are all of the same mindset and are concerned about one thing: the bottom line. They want the company to make more money and spend less money.
In order to keep the company competitive, C-Suite executives must think and act strategically. They must make decisions that align with the company's goals and will yield results. What does this mean for worksite wellness? It means thinking of worksite wellness and presenting it to leadership as a solution to business goals and processes.
C-Suite Survey To get a clearer picture of how C-suite members view employee wellness, consider conducting a survey of them. A lot has been written on the importance of surveying employees about their wellness needs and interests. This information is useful in the design of the wellness program. Similarly, the needs and interests
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WELLNESS WATCH
According to Mercer's 2007 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Health benefit costs continue to rise, going up 6.1% in 2007 with another 5.7% increase expected in 2008. A separate survey by Towers Perrin estimates that health care costs are expected to increase by 6% in 2008. Employer attempts to contain costs include shifting more of the costs to employees (increased co-pays and deductibles) and implementing consumerism strategies (offering consumer-driven health plans).

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Getting CEOs Involved in Wellness

Corporate leaders are key to worksite wellness programs. Their role in successful wellness programs goes beyond their decision-making power. Securing their support and involvement can be a great asset to the program's visibility and sustainability.

As with most leaders, CEOs are the public face of their company. This is particularly the case when it comes to communications with employees. Finding ways to involve business leaders in wellness programs give them an opportunity to demonstrate that the company is concerned about the health of their employees. It can also give CEOs a chance to model healthy behavior to the company's employees.
Communication Marya Mannes once wrote, "It is not enough to show people how to live better: there is a mandate for any group with enormous powers of communication to show people how to be better." When developing and implementing a communication plan for your wellness program, be sure to include CEOs and other executives. Remember that communications from them demonstrate leadership support for the program and help to foster a culture of wellness at the company. This can be done by: Inviting them to give a pep talk at a rally
or kick off event for the wellness program. Organizing photo-ops that can be used in your wellness campaign. Providing encouraging words in the wellness newsletter periodically.
Participation In an article titled "Fit to be CEO", Peter McLaughlin recounted an incident that took place after giving a presentation to the leadership at Washington Mutual. He met Kerry Killinger, WaMu's CEO as he exercised in a fitness center. When asked if he maintained a fitness routine, Killinger answered, "How could anyone working in the speed and stress atmosphere of today, especially directors of companies, survive without fitness? It's the best answer for combating stress and producing energy." This shows that CEOs and other company executives need and can benefit from wellness programs as much, if not more,

than the average employee. Here are some ways you can get executives to participate in wellness programs: Invite them to serve as team captain or
co-captain of the company team at a run/walk event. Encourage them to take advantage of the wellness program offerings. Provide opportunities for them to provide input into wellness activities. Give complimentary paraphernalia that would identify them as being part of the wellness program (ex. t-shirts, hats, etc.).
Commitment Do not underestimate the importance of having an ally in the C-suite. Another important way to involve CEOs is to secure their commitment to the wellness program. This can be done by educating them on the program, including need, reach and outcomes/impact. Share data and anecdotes that put a personal touch to the wellness program. A CEO or executive that can make the case for your wellness program before other company decision makers gives you an advantage. This can translate into: Securing additional or continuous
funding for the wellness program. Policies like those that allow employees
time to participate in wellness activities. Environmental supports like a designate
walking path or changes to meal options in the cafeteria.
Involving CEOs and other executives in your wellness program can serve two purposes: 1) They too are employees and should be encouraged to participate in and take advantage of the program. Securing their participation may help to encourage others to join. 2) Leadership involvement can foster leadership support of and commitment to the wellness program.

Health Observances

March

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National Sleep Awareness Week (March 3-9)

National Sleep Foundation

www.sleepfoundation.org

World Kidney Day (March 13) National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org/news/wkd/index.cfm

Diabetes Alert Day (March 25) American Diabetes Asociacin www.diabetes.org

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation www.preventcancer.org/colorectal

National Nutrition Month American Dietetic Association www.eatright.org

Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month Prevent Blindness America www.preventblindness.org

April

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Alcohol Awareness Month

SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol

and Drug Information

ncadi.samhsa.gov

Cancer Control Month American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

STD Awareness Month American Social Health Association www.ashastd.org

May

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North American Occupational Safety and

Health Week (May 4-15)

American Society of Safety Engineers

Canadian Society of Safety Engineering

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health

Administration

www.asse.org/naosh

National Women's Health Week (May 11-17) Office on Women's Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.womenshealth.gov/whw

National Employee Health and Fitness Day (May 21) National Association for Health and Fitness www.physicalfitness.org

American Stroke Month American Heart Association www.americanheart.org

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America www.aafa.org

Mental Health Month Mental Health America www.mentalhealthamerica.net

National High Blood Pressure Education Month National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/

Better Sleep Month Better Sleep Council www.bettersleep.org

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Understanding the C-Suite
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of company executives are important when designing a wellness program. Though you may not have the opportunity to meet with all of them at the same time, garnering their input into the wellness program will help to place the wellness program strategically.
Some of the things you may want to ask about include: Their priorities for the company. Find
out what their goals and vision for the company are. Their concerns about employees. Include questions on productivity, health, and general impressions about the employees. Their own health. How are they able to maintain a healthy work-life balance? How do they perceive their health? Do they consider themselves healthy? Their physical activity interests. Are they more of the outdoors type? Do they run or participate in any sports? Their nutritional interests. Is healthy eating important to them? What types of healthy foods do they enjoy?
Getting Into the C-Suite Now that you know who is in the C-suite and how they think, you are probably wondering how you can get there. One way into the c-suite is to find a champion among them. This individual will take up the cause of worksite wellness and relay it to his/her colleagues. Prepare your business case information and educate

your champion. This individual will translate that information into a rhetoric that is easily understood by the other Csuite members. There are a few ways to identify your C-suite champion. They can include an executive who: Is a former athlete or participates in
some type of organized or outdoor sporting activity. Is a self-described health nut. Has been diagnosed with a chronic disease, particularly recently. Has a family diagnosis of/death from a chronic disease.
The most important entry into the C-suite is preparation. Think of how a wellness program provides a solution to a problem that C-suite executives are facing. Here are some tips: Gather your facts. Make sure that you
cite data that is recent. Have a plan. What are the goals of the
wellness program? What initiatives or action steps do you have planned? Ask. Be specific about the resources you would need. Think beyond just money; think about space, people, resources, etc. Be positive. Remember that you are providing a solution. Don't just raise problems and issues.
The C-suite can be a resource and ally in having a successful wellness program. Understand the key players and how they operate. This will help you to place your wellness program strategically.

RESOURCE CORNER
The Healthy CEO by Dr. Larry Ohlhauser. his book offers information for CEOs and other executives on the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and how to achieve it. It covers wellness topics like diet and exercise, disease prevention and stress management. For more information, visit www.thehealthyceo.com.
Leading by Example by The Partnership for Prevention. These publications highlight successful worksite wellness programs across the country. It also includes quotes from the leaders of these organizations. Available at www.prevent.org/LBE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
American College of Sports Medicine Health & Fitness Summit March 24-27, 2008, Long Beach, CA http://acsm.org/summit
State Board of Workers' Compensation Regional Education Seminars Various Dates in April & May 2008 http://sbwc.georgia.gov/00/channel_modifie ddate/0,2096,11394008_49963735,00.html
Case Management Society of America Annual Conference and Expo June 17-20, 2008, Orlando, FL http://www.cmsa.org/conference
Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference June 22-25, 2008, Chicago, IL http://www.shrm.org/conferences/annual/in dex.asp
National Wellness Conference July 12-17, 2008, Stevens Point, WI http://www.hbce.com/

GA's Worksite Health Initiative
GA DHR Div. of Public Health www.health.state.ga.us/programs /worksitehealth
WorksiteHealth@dhr.state.ga.us

WORKSITE WELLNESS IN THE NEWS
Slim down your body, fatten your piggy bank USA Today, January 1, 2008 Corporate cafeterias go green, healthy route USA Today, January 7, 2008 Businesses fight plans to ensure health care USA Today, January 16, 2008 Safeway to launch health initiative for its employees Financial Times, January 21, 2008 Employers put health coverage in workers' hands USA Today, January 23, 2008 Court: Employers can fire people using medical marijuana USA Today, January 24, 2008 On-the-job naps might cut risk for heart problems USA Today, February, 12, 2008 Prevention is good medicine, but it's not a fiscal panacea USA Today, February 13, 2008 Prevention is good medicine, but it's not a fiscal panacea USA Today, February 13, 2008 I know I'm ill, but who really needs to know? New York Times, February 21, 2008 Premium pay-off for workers who stay on the treadmill Financial Times, February 22, 2008 The benefits of investing in employee health Financial Times, February 14, 2008
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