Customs Case Study
Workplace Wellness Custom-made
In 2008 Customs piloted a programme called 'Safe, Fit and Well'. It built on the organisation's comprehensive health and safety plan and added a few extras.
The new initiatives included:
- Healthy by choice. A package of interactive on-line tools that staff can use to check their health status or get help to quit smoking or deal with stress. There's also a personal trainer programme, a step-by-step guide to getting fit.
- Free health checks. Being offered to all staff to check for cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat and diabetes.
- Role-related fitness standards. These have been developed to help employees find out if they're physically up to their particular job. Fitness requirements vary greatly throughout Customs and the new standards set job-specific fitness goals people can aspire to.
- Gym access. As well as the three onsite gyms, discounted memberships are available at other gyms around the country.
Organisational Adviser, Simon George, is a regular user of the new Wellington gym. He's also the person largely responsible for developing the wellness plan.
"Having a gym in the workplace is just so convenient. I can have a workout, shower and be at my desk by eight - and the best thing is that it's free!" Simon said.
When the gyms were first opened qualified instructors were on hand to demonstrate the equipment and help with any questions. Now they operate them simply as facilities with machines designed to be used without supervision.
More Uptake Needed
Simon confessed he has been a little disappointed not more people are using the gyms.
"We have about 15 people a day using the Wellington gym, that's not many out of a staff of 200."
The story is similar in Auckland.
Customs has 1200 employees spread over 19 locations. Those who can't access the workplace gyms are being offered discount rates at established gyms.
Simon accepts that gyms aren't everybody's cup of tea but with the current cost of gym memberships he hopes people will come to realise what a great opportunity they're being offered.
Many workplaces piloting wellness programmes have opted to run team challenge events to kick-start enthusiasm but Simon said that Customs decided against this. He says this was party because they didn't have the budget and partly because they believe investment in more tangible things such as gym facilities and online tools will be more cost effective.
Simon said the uptake of the on-line tools has also been slow with only ten percent of staff using them. He's hoping once people have the free health checks and understand their needs better they'll be more attracted to the on-line guidance.
Extending the Reach
Health checks were initially going to be available to only half the staff, (generally those in more physically demanding roles), but it's since been decided to offer them to everyone.
As well as the new initiatives Customs have a number of active sports teams and is encouraging employees to sign-up and take part in organised events.
It also plugged into SPARC's 'Push Play' programme and handed out wall planners with tips for clocking up 30 minutes of activity a day.
Customs is hoping that adding a wellness dimension to its existing health and safety programme will result in some tangible benefits such as reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
Simon said the wellness focus is proving to be more a slow-burner rather than a revolution but he's optimistic participation will increase as the various measures are rolled out.
