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Workplace Wellness Hero Finalist: Healthworks of Unity Health System

3 min read

Healthworks
Unity Health System
Searcy

You don’t have to look very far to see the lengths to which Searcy-based Unity Health has gone to provide for the health and wellness of its employees.

Hazel Halliburton, marketing specialist, says it’s all part of the health system’s overall mission and good business, besides.

“Serving others often includes long shifts with high levels of stress,” Halliburton said. “Whether spending hours on one’s feet making patient rounds, transporting patients from one area to the next or working in high intensity areas such as the ER, physical wellness is important for improving associates’ ability to better serve patients.”

Unity Health offers Healthworks workplace wellness, whereby a wellness coach helps design nutrition and exercise plans tailored to each associate’s personal health goals. The wellness coach also provides educational resources for the associate while offering encouragement throughout their health journey.

Unity Health also provides multiple yoga and meditation classes for associates for a nominal fee. The class, taught by a Unity Health associate who is also a certified yoga instructor, allows participants to relax and refocus, which is imperative for those who work in a stressful field such as health care.

The health system’s approach doesn’t stop with coaching and yoga, in fact, in 2011 the organization made a strong statement about healthy behaviors when it revised its hiring policy to exclude applicants who use tobacco or nicotine products.

“The change [in hiring policy] stemmed from health care costs, worker productivity and to set a standard for healthy living,” Halliburton said.

There are 1,329 associates enrolled in Healthworks wellness incentive program. Each year, participating associates attend wellness screenings where they are screened for blood pressure, cholesterol ratio, tobacco screening and waist circumference. If one meets the requirements, they receive health insurance discounts throughout the year.

Encouraging associates to live health-centered lives has contributed to the health system’s reduced absentee rates, less stress and a happier workforce. In 2014, Unity Health scored a 5.93 on a seven-point workplace satisfaction survey.

“Health dangers in the workplace can include obesity, stress and inadequate sleep among other dangers, which can result in health and safety issues,” Halliburton said. “Obesity is a major contributing factor in back injuries which can result from moving and lifting. Stress is linked to high blood pressure, which can increase errors. Inadequate amounts of sleep can reduce concentration also causing errors and lower work productivity. All of these problems can often be found in the workplace, but with the right education and awareness, they can be prevented.”

Highlights:

» Through Healthworks, Unity Health offers free wellness coaching to all associates whereby a wellness coach helps design nutrition and exercise plans tailored to each associate’s personal health goals

» Unity Health also provides multiple yoga and meditation classes for associates for a nominal fee, taught by a fellow Unity Health associate who’s a certified yoga instructor

» In 2011, the organization revised its hiring policy to exclude from hiring consideration applicants who use tobacco or nicotine products

» Currently, there are 1,329 associates enrolled in Healthworks. Each year, they attend wellness screenings where they are screened for blood pressure, cholesterol ratio, tobacco screening and waist circumference. Hitting certain measurements entitles an associate to health insurance discounts.

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