Gift cards encourage employees to sign up for company-funded health risk assessments.

A holistic approach to employee health

In the world of PBG employee benefit programs, health is a word that means a lot more than the objective of the company’s medical plans.

It’s a holistic term encompassing employee physical, mental and even financial wellness, with a broad array of programs, tools and information sources backing it up.

Prevent and control

To help employees maintain and improve their physical well-being, PBG introduced HealthyLiving, a program with a diverse menu of services such as annual health risk assessments, weight control and smoking cessation programs, stress management and a dedicated Nurseline. Currently, employees and their spouses can each earn $175 by taking a wellness assessment and participating in the company’s Healthy Changes Program.

“To integrate wellness into our culture, we create fun incentives that play off our competitive spirit,” says Mark Sullivan, Vice President of Health and Wellness at PBG. “By engaging employees in a total wellness philosophy, we can provide them–and their families–with opportunities to reduce the chance of illness, injury and disability and ultimately live healthier lives.”

PBG also has on-site health clinics at 25 of its facilities across the U.S. Each is part medical facility and part fitness counseling center, staffed by nurses and physician assistants employed by a unit of Johns Hopkins University.

“Clinics produce a trifecta of results,” notes John Berisford, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Personnel Officer. “Costs decline, productivity rises and employee satisfaction increases.”

PBG hopes to have eight more clinics in operation by the end of 2008, bringing the total to 33 and giving 40 percent of its U.S. employees access to an on-site health and wellness center. To expand the reach of on-site wellness centers, the company will be piloting a mobile health clinic that provides access to medical professionals at some of our smaller locations. The company also plans to bolster mental health care services at four pilot locations.

The goal of all of these offerings is to keep health and wellness top-of-mind and make physical fitness a part of employees’ daily lives at work and at home. In fact, employees also have access to discounts on health clubs and exercise equipment.

Fiscal fitness, too

In a 2007 USA TODAY poll, more than 65 percent of respondents said that their finances caused them the most anxiety. Financial issues can permeate all areas of a person’s or family’s life and cause significant harm to their overall well-being.

But say a PBG employee sees significant fluctuations in his or her 401(k) account. Instead of brooding about it, he or she can turn to the company’s HealthyMoney program. It offers a wide range of professional, independent resources ranging from planning workshops to mortgage discounts and scholarship advice. Whether an employee wants to create a retirement plan or get quick advice on a smaller matter, free financial counseling service is available through HealthyMoney. The program also includes Web-based guides covering high-impact life events, reminders about key dates and links to a variety of valuable online financial tools and reports.

Physical problems, personal demands and financial volatility can bring pain and stress to anyone. But by taking a holistic approach to employee wellness and some of the primary forces that affect it, HealthyLiving and HealthyMoney help promote healthier futures for employees, their families and PBG as a whole.

Some of PBG’s free, on-site employee health and wellness services

Treatment for work-related and non-occupational illness and injuries
Prescriptions
Physicals
Free flu shots
Department of Transportation physicals
...and more

National recognition

In 2007, PBG received two prestigious awards for its commitment to improving employee health and promoting healthy lifestyles.

First, PBG received the C. Everett Koop National Health Award for its HealthyLiving program. Named after the former U.S. Surgeon General, the Koop award is the most prestigious award honoring innovative health improvement programs. PBG’s was one of only two programs to win the award for 2007, which is based on extensive documentation that outlines an organization’s health improvement and cost savings. Past recipients include Motorola, Citibank, Union Pacific, Caterpillar, Daimler-Chrysler, CIGNA, Texas Instruments and Johnson & Johnson.

Also in 2007, PBG was among a select group of employers who received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Gold Award from the National Business Group on Health for its response to “the urgent need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life.” The national, nonprofit organization of 266 large employers also honored PBG for its HealthyLiving program. In 2008, PBG won the organization’s Platinum Award–the highest honor it bestows.

An ounce of prevention

PBG works hard to promote safe work habits and prevent injuries among employees. Since 2005 it has run a safety awareness and education program called “360 Degrees of Safety” that reaches every facility.

PBG drivers undergo intensive training to ensure that they get to their destinations safely. Drivers with no preventable accidents for a year are recognized by top management, featured on PBG’s Professional Driver Web site and given a special award and incentive. Those who go accident-free for five years get even higher value awards. PBG recognizes approximately 5,500 drivers annually through this program.

If an employee is hurt on the job? PBG’s workers’ compensation program is designed to provide injured employees with proactively managed medical care so that they can return to work–and their regular paychecks–as soon as possible.