Wellness and fitness have always been an integral component of the culture at sanofi pasteur, a company with roots in Canada dating back nearly 100 years.
At one time, the organization’s employee wellness programs meant company bowling leagues and baseball teams. Now they mean offering employees everything from a fully equipped on-site gym and instructor-led classes to a healthy food program in the cafeteria, stretch breaks, blood pressure screening clinics, a walking club and a link to online exercises so employees can plan workouts at home.
“Our employees are much more cognizant of the importance of good health by working at the world’s largest vaccine company and the importance of changing their dietary and exercise behaviour in light of rising rates of prolonged disease, like diabetes,” says Nancy Simpson, director of communications at Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. “We surveyed them to see what they were after in terms of workplace wellness and then we totally revamped our fitness program. With a new supplier, equipment, activities and a new training facility, we’ve made the Phoenix Wellness Program the anchor of what has become an extensive wellness program. But it’s no longer just about fitness participation—now the whole organization is involved. And it’s all backed up by an
extensive communications program using a variety of different tools to inform and educate our employees.”
The integrated communications plan devoted to workplace wellness was developed in 2009 and 2010 to emphasize and promote the new Phoenix program to sanofi pasteur’s 1,200 employees. The Wellness Matters newsletter, for example, comes out quarterly and includes topics such as posture at home and at work, preventing heat-related illnesses, smoking cessation and the health implications of body piercings. Employees can also read about health-related topics in SiteLife Newsletter, distributed to all employees weekly via email and monthly in a printed version.
Closed-circuit television sets located around the campus run testimonials and health reminders and advertise the Phoenix program. Throughout the year, the company’s many workplace wellness events are cross-promoted through these various communications vehicles. Innovative posters and special news bulletins also highlight specific issues related to health and wellness.
And all this effort seems to be paying off. About 600 employees are currently enrolled in the Phoenix program, with the number increasing since it was revamped and updated. As well, the company is offering more activities for all employees, not just program members, says Karen Chiarelli, manager, occupational health. “Our members are increasingly active, too, and we’re always offering more programs based on what people want.”
Listening and responding to what employees want is important, agrees Simpson. “Our top executives are behind our fitness and wellness programs, and our communication is very much top-down,” she explains. “But we also want to show employees that we listen to them.” Recently, the company followed up on employee requests to install extra bike racks, update the showers and provide healthier food options in the cafeteria. “These were easy requests to respond to,” Simpson says. “Motivating our employees to adopt healthier lifestyles is good for everyone. It’s been fun seeing a growing number take ownership of their own health.”
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