In today's fast-paced corporate world, companies are increasingly realizing the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of their employees. With the goals of boosting productivity, enhancing engagement, reducing healthcare costs and minimizing turnover rates, corporate wellness programs have become indispensable for creating thriving work environments.
Nutrition Solutions, a meal-prep company, has taken a unique approach to supporting its staff’s physical and mental wellness by offering them additional compensation for exercise. Every Wednesday and Friday, employees have the opportunity to participate in a complimentary exercise class before the workday commences, presenting an attractive incentive for many.
Nutrition Solutions CEO Chris Cavallini explains, “If they come to those workouts, they are on the clock. They’re getting compensated whatever their pay rate is to be there.” He emphasizes that the compensation is treated as regular pay, similar to their typical working hours.
The exercise sessions can be viewed as an opportunity for personal and financial gain, allowing employees the freedom to choose their level of involvement.
Cavallini said he is giving them the benefit of getting exercise out of the way, so after work, they can go home and work on their personal goals and spend time with their family.
Startup Work Culture
Startups are often the subject of a number of innovative ideas and business structures.
One startup, Civilized Cycles, is breaking the mold by allowing anyone to invest in their startup for a limited time. Traditionally startups like Civilized Cycles would raise from venture capital, but by letting their community and customers to invest, they are creating a group of lifetime brand ambassadors that are also customers.
These innovative approaches to the workplace are often what make these startups in the long run. After all, who wouldn’t want to work at a company that pays you to work out? And dedicated customers-turned-investors means higher lifetime value and more profit.
Paid To Workout
Nutrition Solutions exercise classes encompass a range of activities, including body-weight calisthenics, outdoor runs and mentally challenging training such as immersing oneself in ice water for improved resilience.
Drawing inspiration from his military experience, where he witnessed firsthand the positive impact of exercise on discipline and overall well-being, Cavallini recognized the importance of investing in his employees’ physical activity. As he began taking his business more seriously, promoting physical activity as a means to enhance employees’ well-being became an obvious choice.
“I want to ensure my team has the tools to become the healthiest, fittest and most dominant version of themselves,” Cavallini said.
By facilitating challenging exercises, the primary objective of the initiative is to cultivate resilience among the team members, enabling them to better cope with stress and adversity. Cavallini notes a significant increase in attendance each year since the program’s inception in 2016. Initially, only Cavallini and one other employee participated in the workouts, but now classes accommodate as many as 40 people.
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Cavallini said that establishing systems aimed at enhancing employees’ physical and mental well-being, as well as elevating their mindset, undeniably benefits the company.
He further emphasized that investing in his employees’ personal growth and well-being is a foolproof investment, urging other leaders to consider implementing similar initiatives. The result is a stronger, more disciplined and energized workforce, providing significant returns for the organization.
Although Nutrition Solutions is one of the first companies to make headlines for paying its employees to exercise on the clock, offering financial incentives isn't a new concept.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted the increasing prevalence of workplace wellness programs. The study indicates that over 80% of large employers have implemented a variety of financial incentives to motivate their employees to engage in higher levels of physical activity. This notable trend is in response to a concerning report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reveals that a significant portion of adults in the United States do not meet the minimum recommended level of physical activity necessary to derive health benefits.
The study brings attention to the growing recognition among employers of the imperative to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees. By introducing innovative strategies, including financial incentives, organizations are proactively addressing the sedentary lifestyle that has become increasingly prevalent in modern society.
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