Experts agree that keeping your workforce healthy can be key to your company’s bottom line. According to a study by the Society for Human Resources Management, the vast majority of companies see workplace wellness as an opportunity to reduce health insurance costs, increase productivity and reduce absenteeism. Here, Frank Pietrantoni, manager of Pharmacy Business Relations at Wegmans Food Markets in Buffalo, New York, talks about how the grocery chain is helping employers better connect their employees to wellness.
Tell us about your health and wellness coaching and what it entails.
Our stores make that easy by providing the freshest ingredients and the knowledge to help anyone eat better. Next, we focus on awareness. Awareness is built through health screenings. Our screenings allow our employees to Know Their Numbers and take control. Our pharmacists and nutritionists receive training to help motivate our employees to make healthy changes. The result is people living healthier, better lives.
In 2015, Wegmans was ranked No. 7 on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and was named best grocery store in America by Consumer Reports. How critical is workplace wellness to the company’s success?
Wellness is a key part of our success. Danny Wegman has been instrumental in making wellness a priority and part of our culture. Danny shared his challenges with blood pressure. Our program was designed to help manage everyday struggles like high blood pressure by providing people with dietary education, customized coaching and incentives to get moving.
Wegmans touts that “when you take care of your employees, they take care of your customers. So, when you help your workforce get and stay healthy, you’re really helping to keep your bottom line healthy, too.” Please explain some of the benefits Wegmans has realized from being active in workplace wellness initiatives.
Chronic diseases are prevalent in our communities. These diseases create a financial burden on individuals and businesses. Preventing and managing disease helps to contain costs. This means less sick time and better productivity.
What is the Wegmans Pharmacy Business Partnership Program and why was it established?
The Business Partnership Program was designed to counter increasing healthcare costs. Our program provides custom solutions at your workplace by utilizing our pharmacists and nutritionists. There are many wellness programs available; many miss this mark by not providing results or engaging employees. Our program does both of those things.
How does the program work and what are some of the advantages?
We seek to understand the needs of your employees. We often hear, “help my people eat better” or “how do we increase vaccinations.” We then establish a goal and plan. Our program is offered a la carte. Our biggest advantages are low pricing, but most importantly, our people. We often hear about the “atmosphere” we bring to an employer event. The atmosphere contributes to participation in wellness events.
What are some easy and affordable wellness tips that employers should consider implementing today?
Appoint champions, ideally an executive and some key people. Start with flu shots. This is an easy event that often costs nothing. Keep people engaged through resources available online. A blood pressure screening is a low cost way to raise awareness of a problem that affects many Americans. Most importantly, build trust. I heard about a CEO who spent one hour of his time handing out fruit to his employees. A little effort goes a long way.
For more information about the Wegmans Business Partnership, call Frank Pietrantoni at 716/254-1083.
