BY ELYN ZIMMERMAN
The Google Drool.
This is the reaction we may have upon learning
about the employee perks at companies like
Google, Facebook and other big start up or tech
companies. Oh, we are flushed with envy when
hearing about such things as barista staffed coffee
bars, top level chef-provided fare at various campus
restaurants, snack bars arranged to foster healthy
choices, not to mention arcade game, bowling and
ping pong rooms; midday yoga and fitness classes;
provided showers with towels; lava lamp decor
and even the ability to bring one’s dog to work.
Tucked behind the large and small amenities
that these large and hip companies are able to
provide is a strong employer commitment to all
aspects of employee well being. Clearly, these
business savvy entrepreneurs have recognized
the value of having happy and healthy workers
and have taken time to figure out what promotes
such benefit.
For those of us living outside the Google
universe, we may consider ourselves lucky just
to have a coffee maker, a vending machine and
a water dispenser and are giddy when someone
brings in a box of donuts to start the day. That’s
OK we say. We’ll trudge into work each day loaded
down with our necessary sustenance carried in
various totes, or use our precious lunch breaks to
frantically run out for a sandwich or slice of pizza.
We’ll rush to the gym before or after work, if at
all. We’ll come to work sick because we don’t have
sufficient if any health care benefits or sick days.
With the huge burden of health care costs
impacting business we are struggling to find major
solutions. In the meantime, here is a medley of
some simple suggestions, that might spark your
own ideas.
The Food Culture
Influencing the food culture may include things
like providing a station where not only coffee is
available, but also a variety of teas, good quality
water (perhaps an infused water dispenser), a
bowl of seasonal fruit or even a fruit or vegetable
platter. Guidelines do exist for healthy vending
and healthy meetings. Instituting these can send
a powerful message to employees and business
partners. Also, look into having your business be
a dropoff site for a local Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA) program, where boxes of
local produce are delivered to participants on a
weekly basis.
The Physical Environment
Take a walk around the physical space and
look and listen. Watch for opportunities to make
it more soothing like having freshly painted walls,
nice artwork, and comfortable and clean flooring.
Good lighting, plants, and relaxing sounds may
greatly help the internal environment. If it is an
industrial or retail environment, see if you can
create a space or room to provide employees with
a quiet area. Check to see if you can enhance any
outdoor areas where employees can take a walk, do
some stretching, take breaks or even do their work.
The Work Day
Here is where things can get really fun with
some imagination and that can help elevate the
work day to something a little more special for
everyone. Play around with ideas that can both
subtly and profoundly promote well being such as
creating a “quiet hour” where telephone use and
interpersonal talking is limited. Or, implement
“movement time” where people are encouraged
to get up from their desks to walk or stretch.
There can be “play time” as well. Offer in-house
chair massages. Many local massage schools have
students eager to practice their skills for free.
Create a monthly wellness schedule bringing in
various wellness specialists for some mini-sessions.
These specialists might then gladly provide
some discounted pricing to your employees.
Zimmerman, is the owner of Lifeseeds
Nutritional Counseling (www.lifeseedsnutrition.com) with offices in Saratoga Springs and Round
Lake.
Photo Courtesy Lifeseeds Nutritional Counseling