San Antonio – Efforts to get employees eating better and improving their fitness in general has earned esd & associates recognition as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association.
“We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Erik Simpson, chief creative officer. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible to benefit our employees’ health and produce even more positive results for our work overall.”
The American Heart Association recognizes platinum-level employers as those who implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture. The firm must promote a wellness culture and offer physical activities in the workplace. The workplace also must offer healthy eating options. Finally, the company must produce measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.
“We wanted to create healthy alternatives, as we are located next to a fast-food restaurant and a convenience store, plus there’s a doughnut shop in easy walking distance,” said Lindsay Ackels, Operations Manager and Wellness Initiative Coordinator. “Since we are a small company, we don’t have a cafeteria on site, but we do provide free, healthy snacks to all employees to encourage them to eat nutritious food instead of taking the fast food and convenience store options.”
The esd & associates wellness program offers many ways for employees to get up and get moving, from recommending stretch breaks at work to setting aside one hour per week for group activities on “Fitness Friday.” The firm also hosts wellness, nutrition classes and CPR training on site during work hours, and offers self-testing for blood pressure. However, wellness activities extend beyond the workplace. Employees also may take advantage of free YMCA gym memberships and entry fee reimbursement if they participate in local fitness events.
This is the latest recognition given to esd’s wellness program, which include:
- 2014 – First place in the small business division at the San Antonio Business Journal’s Healthiest Employer Awards
- 2014 Healthy Workplace Recognition Program GOLD – The San Antonio Business Group on Health and the Mayor’s Fitness Council
The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and well being a priority. American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and these numbers are rising.
Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.
“The Fit-Friendly Worksites Program offers easy-to-implement ways for organizations to help employees eat better and move more, which will help improve their health – and their employer’s bottom line,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, American Heart Association.
About esd & associates
esd & associates is San Antonio’s largest digital marketing agency. We combine research, marketing strategy, demand generation, public relations, social media, and branding to help our clients build trust with their audiences and convert trust into sales. For more than 20 years, we have helped brands find their voices and increase sales.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our mission drives everything we do. To improve the lives of all Americans, we provide public health education in a variety of ways. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.