2009 Benny Awards VSP "GetFit" Award
Melissa Hubler
Group Leader, Payroll & Benefits
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Lafayette, Ind.
As the automobile industry struggles to maintain a healthy bottom line, Melissa Hubler, the group leader of payroll & benefits, strives to spread wellness to hardened assembly workers at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA).
Convincing a group of typically middle-aged men who work 10-hour days on their feet to take a walk after hours is no easy task, but Hubler has the employees at SIA flexing their muscles and toning their financial understanding - which is exactly why she's been named the winner of the first-ever VSP "GetFit" Benny Award.
Wellness infiltrates all areas of the company as Hubler and her team strives to revolutionize the company's culture. For example, SIA provides 90/10 beef in the cafeteria with a subtle, often unnoticed, sign, "courtesy of the wellness program."
Alternately, when the company wellness cart passes through the assembly lines to pass out information on smoking cessation, Hubler and team really are sticking their necks out. Nevertheless, the feedback they have received has been gracious and thankful. In addition, quite a few chronic diseases have been nipped in the bud at SIA's onsite occupational clinic, where associates can receive a free complete physical including biometric laboratory screenings once every two years.
One step at a time
When Hubler introduced SIA's wellness program, the company had 89.6% of 2,800 full-time employees lined up to complete a health risk assessment. What brought workers out in droves? Time had been carved out for workers to take the health assessments during their work shift.
"At first [the program] was purely meant to pique the interest of our associates; we wanted them to become interested and participate in the program so we made it very easy to do so. Our first year, we took time off the production line for every associate to complete an HRA and then we gave them with a cash contribution to their FSA for doing so," explains Hubler.
Next, the team turned its attention toward results, requiring employees to complete three steps to earn a $200 contribution to their flexible spending accounts. The three stages are:
1. Completing all age- and gender-relevant screenings and exams, as defined by the American Health Association. SIA made nearly all of the tests available onsite, except mammogram, testicular and dental exams.
Each year employees have the option of filling out a questionnaire or completing a biometric screening. Workers then receive a 20-page break down of the state of their health. Thanks to Hubler's efforts, 64% of SIA associates cleared this step.
2. Earning 50 wellness points in disease and illness prevention activities or educational programs. Employees can take online disease management classes or participate in a coaching program at SIA's wellness center, occupational clinic or health insurer, all onsite.
Employees also can earn points by taking advantage of the onsite recreation center - complete with certified fitness instructors at no charge to the employee and their family.
There also are weight and nutrition programs, which Hubler and her team are considering expanding upon in the coming years.
Associates also may earn points through participation in the company's Financially Fit Program, which is most dear to Hubler's heart.
"The Financially Fit Program is important to me because I see the progress we are making in health and wellness, which is aimed to help our Associates live longer, healthier and more productive lives," she says."It is designed to help Associates prepare themselves financially so they can afford to live longer."
The company has monthly "workouts," where they invite financial experts from investment management firms, banks, law firms and Purdue University to give seminars covering topics like the ABCs of the 401(k), debt management and health-care consumerism.
Workers can complete their requirements for stage two by investing in a 401(k), setting up their paychecks for direct deposit and participating in voluntary financial benefit programs including free investment advice.
Hubler feels that these offerings are just as important as the healthy lifestyle initiatives.
"Having the unique opportunity to oversee both benefit and payroll functions at my company, the data shows me that associates in financial distress more often than not suffer stress related illnesses and/or incur stress related absenteeism leading me to conclude that one's financial well-being is in many cases directly related to one's physical well-being," she says.
"To invest in a wellness program without a financial wellness component would be like offering health insurance benefitswithout a prescription drug benefit; it would just be incomplete."
3. Being smoke-free. As long as employees make a concerted effort they can complete this stage which includes onsite tobacco cessation courses and covers 100% of all smoking-cessation medication, including Chantix and the nicotine patch.
Changing culture, minds, bodies
"Rather than it being about getting the cash reward and incentive, hearing people tell of the success they've had and how much better they feel" has been the most promising development in their wellness program, boasts Hubler.
Hubler advises that employers "really try to keep [the message] out there, be persistent, and recognize that change is difficult for employees, but that over time they'll come around.
It's tough, it's a cultural change for companies but persistence and patience and really listening to their employees and what their needs are and what keeps them from participating if they are not doing so already is key."
Hubler has encouraged the SIA employees to step out of line once in a while, enjoy a walk on one of the company trails or take an hour from their busy schedule to visit a health caregiver.
With her efforts she has reformulated company culture and employee paradigms. She's succeeded in cultivating a support system and wellness plan for employees in the midst of their trek toward a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
