Employee health is important for every business’s bottom line. Healthy workers have increased productivity and miss fewer days of work. Plus, it can lead to savings in health care costs. 

Every year, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina celebrates wellness efforts of South Carolina businesses with the LiveLifeBlue awards. There are plenty of takeaways for others to follow. Here’s how this year’s winners have found success with their wellness programs.

Promote health at work 

Giant Cement Holding, the Charleston region’s large group winner, encourages employees to incorporate physical exercise into their daily routines with standing workstations and locker rooms. 

In Greenville, Suminoe Textile makes fresh fruit available at locations throughout the plant to facilitate healthier choices. The company also designated a room and refrigeration facilities for new mothers. Its maternal health assistance supports new parents.  

Increase engagement 

JTEKT North America in Greenville successfully increased employee participation in its wellness programs by offering a variety of incentives such as premium credits and prizes. Its Monthly Wellness Champion challenge allows employees to complete activities based on a theme. A champion is selected for each site every month. This effort has motivated employees to participate in the programs. 

To get more employees engaged, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, based in Columbia, launched its wellness-related book club and nutrition program. More than 100 employees joined the club. 

Focus on mental well-being 

Employee mental health continues to be an area of focus for many employers. An employee assistance program (EAP) provides access. But breaking down the stigma around mental health care has been a focus for South Carolina Federal Credit Union to get more people to seek support. 

JTEKT also promotes World Mental Health to remind its employees to take care of their mental well-being. 

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) offers virtual behavioral health applications to help its workers manage stress and promote mental well-being. 

Blackbaud, this year’s overall winner, found high satisfaction and engagement by offering two well-being days. These can be used for a variety of activities, including attending medical appointments, engaging in physical exercise or wellness activities, spending quality time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies or personal interests, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and taking care of personal matters.

Care for the whole family

Getting dependents to take advantage of wellness offerings is often overlooked. But SRNS made it a focus with its Employee and Dependent Wellness Fair to showcase sitewide benefit offerings. It reinforced its dedication to the whole family with flu shot clinics, interactive wellness activities and direct engagement with benefit providers. 

Virtual care such as Blue CareOnDemand℠ Powered by MDLIVE^® supports employees and their families’ health care needs any time from anywhere. Giant Cement saw a significant increase in its enrollment with the platform. 

Get moving 

A personal trainer helps employees at Suminoe Textile achieve their fitness goals by creating customized workout plans. The company also encourages walking lunches to get more employees moving. 

Blackbaud's "Find Your 30" challenge enables differently abled employees to incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity into their daily routines. In addition, health coaching programs such as UMove, UFit, and UBody encourage focus on fitness goals and activities. 

Connect to community  

Several of this year’s winners offer opportunities for employees to give back to their communities to promote company culture and improve mental health. 

Suminoe Textile’s employees work with Meals on Wheels, delivering food to home-bound residents every month. 

Blackbaud has a similar focus on “volunteer time” to promote engagement with causes its employees care about. 

South Carolina Federal Credit Union expanded its “people helping people” philosophy by promoting wellness events in the community such as the Dragon Boat, Ride to End Alzheimer's and the AMA Heart Walk. Employees are encouraged to connect and collaborate with others, give back, and do something healthy for themselves. 

MDLIVE is an independent company that provides telehealth services on behalf of BlueCross.