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Keeping track of exercise and activity levels using fitness trackers has become immensely popular over the last few years. Harnessing this popularity in the workplace has benefits that reach far beyond physical fitness.
Employees become healthier, are more productive and work better as a team. Businesses see a reduction in employee sick leave and, over time, overall health care costs are reduced. Nationwide, employers are expected to incorporate more than 13 million fitness tracking devices into their wellness programs by 2018, according to technology consultancy Endeavor Partners.
In February 2016, Kennebec Savings Bank kicked off a Fitbit wellness program, encouraging employees to increase their level of physical activity by tracking the number of steps they took each day. The program was a resounding success. It began with 75 out of 120 employees taking about 12 million cumulative steps per month. Within nine months, the program had grown to more than 18 million steps per month. In October of last year, the bank received Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's “Health Innovator Award” in recognition of the achievements of this program and other related healthy-living initiatives.
The great thing about fitness tracker programs is that they can work for any type of organization. You just have to follow these six simple steps to success:
Our Fitbit wellness program has empowered employees to make positive lifestyle changes. Walking groups form every day at lunchtime, and one of our managers now holds “walking” staff meetings on a nearby rail trail. It is a well-known fact that you can pick up 103 extra steps by walking around the table in our break room while waiting for your coffee to brew.
Using the Fitbits has gotten our team out of the mindset that exercise is a chore. We now look forward to being active together and are always looking for new opportunities to do so. In addition to boosting employee health and driving health care costs down, it has been excellent for the team dynamic. We enjoy a more engaged, energized work atmosphere.
When it comes to fitness tracker-focused employee wellness programs, the investment is minimal yet the payoff can be very high.
The virtual nature of the Fitbit online communities makes the program ideal for organizations with team members who are based at different locations.
Andrew Silsby is president and CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank.
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