A company in Ogden has made it their mission to focus on promoting health and happiness regarding their employees. The company, Global Health Industries, has recently implemented initiatives to focus on promoting the well-being of their employees.
Employee Wellness advocacy and implementation within businesses has risen significantly in the past decade, with nearly half of all company leaders in the U.S. reporting some form of health-initiative in 2015.
According to a study by the World Economic Forum in 2013, “Employees in companies that support healthy habits are two-and-a-half times more likely to be high performers, three times more productive, eight times more dedicated and three-and-a-half times more creative and innovative than employees who did not receive healthy encouragement.”
With this research in mind, some companies are beginning to promote smart and healthy choices in the workplace that could reduce stress, boost productivity and increase happiness among their employees.
On average, Americans spend approximately nine hours a day at work, according to the Bureau of Labor Services. Companies have a high interest in promoting health, and the positive well-being of their employees because they spend a lot of their time there.
Major businesses like Google and SAP promote healthy lifestyles through their company with employee wellness initiatives. Employee wellness is beginning to show up in local businesses too — even here in Ogden.
Kim Wheelwright, founder and chief executive officer of Global Health Industries, said that when it comes to creating a positive environment for their employees, advocating for their wellness is the key component.
“Life is stressful; you have to come up with healthy ways to deal with it,” Wheelwright said. “It’s important to promote a healthy environment.”
Global Health Industries is currently hosting their personal Biggest Loser competition, encouraging their employees to get active while connecting with one another.
“I believe that in order to create a positive company culture, it needs to start at the core of our business, which is our people,” Wheelwright said.
Ray Anderson, the inside sales representative at Global Health Industries, said he enjoys participating in the experience because it allows employees to work together and bond in order to achieve a common goal: health.
“We are all working together,” Anderson said. “We also are learning about health in general. It’s nice.”
Mika Wheelwright of Fidobiotics, another CEO based out of Ogden, believes that education is key to living a healthy life and practicing positive habits. Wheelwright said that younger generations are raising awareness of health, and it’s reflecting in their work ethic.
“(This generation) is very aware of what’s going in their bodies,” Wheelwright said. “They are always looking for the healthy alternative.”
With the constantly evolving research about the benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise, Wheelwright believes she should play a role in the health of her employees.
“With my company, it’s my job to educate my employees about health and have them implement it in their own lives,” Wheelwright said.
Overall, companies in Ogden — and globally — are beginning to take extra steps to ensure a positive work space for their employees, and the importance of health and well-being are now being included in the workplace too.
