What type of employee wellness programs and activities do you offer? How have you partnered with Workforce Health to support employee well-being for Palermo’s?
At Palermo's, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees. We provide a range of initiatives that promote both physical and mental health.
We may be in the pizza business, but it is not lost on us that employees need more nutritious options than pizza (although there’s a lot of free pizza!). One way we ensure employees have options is by providing a healthy snack on a monthly basis and an on-site café with discounts on healthier food choices.
While all of our employees can access discounted memberships to local gyms; employees enrolled in our medical plans can take advantage of free virtual fitness classes. Additionally, employees can enjoy on-site massages once a month, providing a convenient way to relax and de-stress during the workday. These initiatives aim to promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle for everyone.
Our partnership with Workforce Health has been an invaluable asset in enhancing our wellness programs and initiatives. Recently, we collaborated with both our on-site provider and the Workforce Health team on a variety of offerings. Together we developed a physical wellness challenge in the form of a bingo card, hosted a provider meet-and-greet tabling session for our wellness fair, and shared a series of Workforce Health Kitchen and Fitness Live Classes. These initiatives were designed to encourage employees to make lifestyle changes at their own pace while offering resources along the way. Additionally, Workforce Health has supported us by organizing pop-up clinics for flu shots, blood pressure screenings, and blood glucose testing.
This spring, we are transitioning all our locations to smoke-free facilities. With the continued support and resources from the Workforce Health team, we are confident this change will empower employees to reduce or eliminate tobacco use.
What benefits do you see to the organization and employees because of the efforts?
Our on-site clinic has been instrumental in redirecting employees to the appropriate level of care based on their individual needs. Our provider, Vicki Tetzlaff, has done an amazing job at winning over our employees and building trust. Through this trust, she has successfully influenced employees to make important lifestyle changes, helped many of our employees manage chronic illnesses and closely monitored the symptoms they experienced.
This partnership has also been a key component to helping our organization monitor on-site injuries. By offering on-site care, we are providing employees a space where they feel comfortable discussing and reporting pain or discomfort. This also allows employees to receive immediate care or be directed to the appropriate level of care for their concerns. Having a clinician who can physically see how and where the injury occurred, offers employees a personalized approach to their recovery with follow-up care plans that minimize the impact on productivity. Overall, these efforts not only support the well-being of employees, but also contribute to a healthier, more engaged workforce.
What advice do you have for a business just starting employee wellness initiatives?
Understanding your employees' needs should be the foundation of your wellness programs and the answer key to troubleshooting. In general, if you are addressing their specific needs, it will drive your engagement. However, it's important to recognize that some employees may not be ready to address those needs and that’s okay. Knowing your employee population helps you determine if you stick with it or pivot to a new idea.
