To: The University of Southern Indiana Human Resources Department

From: Hannah Forkel and Cassidy Helms

Date: Oct. 22 , 2014
nd

Re: Improving the Time to Get Fit Program

I request permission to spend two weeks writing and researching an empirical report
regarding the current wellness program set-up. This report would be conducted so that there can be
improvements made on the already existing wellness program. Under the current program, there is
not sufficient participation and it excludes many employees as well as limits current members. Our
plan is to conduct research so that we can better the current programs by seeing how these types of
wellness programs are conducted elsewhere. If the proposal is approved, here is our projected
timeline.

Schedule of Report Progress

Week 1-2

Define objectives

Analyze present system

Week 3-4

Draft of report

Additional research of present system

Week 5

Progress report on research

Week 6-7

Finalizing research

Final report

Present System
Presently, the Y.M.C.A., Tri-State Racket Club, Fitness World, Fitness 19, etc are excluded
from a wellness program directed by USI. In order to include more faculty or full-time staff within
this program, it should be considered that other facilities are included and it becomes more accessible
to every employee.

Issues with Present System

Since the scope is so limited, employees who suffer from health care issues such as obesity or
other complications pay 42% more in health care costs than the average employee. Due to
employees suffering from health complications, they are more likely to use sick days and have
decreased productivity because their overall health is failing. By using preventative programming
for employees, the cost-benefit analysis reveals that there are increased benefits from smoking
cessation, fitness, and some educational programs. Thus, by having healthy employees, the employer
also benefits from a happier and healthier work force.
According to County Health Rankings, Vanderburgh County ranks 76th out of 92 Indiana
counties based on specific health factors and health outcomes. The top concerns in the county, as
discovered by St. Marys Hospital, are mental health, obesity, substance abuse, oral health and
tobacco assistance. Specific causes under this system are not specifically addressed. The four root
causes found in Vanderburgh County of cancer, kidney disease, dementia, stroke, injury, respiratory
issues and nutritional issues are due to tobacco use, obesity, substance abuse and mental health. Thus
not only is the overall state of Indiana suffering from poor health, Vanderburgh County itself
struggles with the health of its population.

Objectives

To offer discounts at county wide major fitness centers to provide convenient employee
fitness

To provide stronger incentives to encourage employee involvement

To implement preventative wellness programming within the workplace that is more focused
on the root causes of illness

To provide employees with tobacco cessation programming

To encourage proper eating habits and nutritional health through programming

To provide and promote substance abuse counseling resources

To encourage the implementation of better mental health practices to increase overall

employee well being

Solution
As a result of the research, the new program should include fitness clubs that are not operated by the
University of Southern Indiana and should also take into account the current issues that are effecting
the health of Indiana residents.
1.

Statistical Support

According to the Indiana Health Department in 2013, a comprehensive analysis of 42 published

studies of worksite health promotion programs showed that companies that implemented an effective
wellness program realized significant cost reductions and financial gains, including:

An average of 28% reduction in sick days

An average of 26% reduction in health costs

An average of 30% reduction in workers compensation and disability management claims

An average $5.93 to $1 savings-to-cost ratio.

Within this study conducted by the Indiana Health Department in 2013, 92% of the companies with a
wellness program in place agreed that these programs are effective, and 47% reported the programs
are very or extremely effective. In addition, 44% of employers agree they are able to offer lower
health insurance premiums as a result of their wellness program, and 61% agree they have a healthier
workforce as a result of having a wellness program in place. In 2013, The DuPont corporation
decreased disability days at its Tennessee plant by 14% after instituting a wellness program, saving
almost $120,000 annually.

2.

Benefits

A fitness program would be improving employee health in several ways. Workers lose weight,
reduce stress, lower blood pressure and sleep better. All of these can reduce sick days, doctor visit
and workplace injuries. For example, lower-back injuries cause employees to miss 100 million work
days annually, according to the Wellness Council of America.

3.

Beginning the Program

At the beginning of 2015, there will be three new programs employees will be encouraged to
participate in. It will be advertised at the end of the year 2014 so that employees have ample time to
sign up for each program. Each program will last 6 months and will be continued if the results are
positive. By motivating employees through stronger incentives, it reinforces participation.
3.

Calculating Results

The incentive programs will be tracked by employees regular participation sheets. Employees will
fill out these sheets monthly so that they are eligible to receive the incentive rewards. Once the
employees have turned in their monthly sheets. The more programs they participate in, the more
benefits they will receive in addition to the healthier lifestyle they will be leading.
4.

Continuation Plan

This plan will be focused on the first 6 months of the year. If the programs do well and employee
participation is high, then new programs will be formed for the next 6 months or the effective
programs will be continued and updated according to employee feedback.

Types of Possible Programs

We will encourage employees to offer their suggestions prior to implementing these programs. The
main programs that will be implemented will focus on addressing the root issues within this area
specifically. As previously mentioned, the four root causes found in Vanderburgh County of cancer,
kidney disease, dementia, stroke, injury, respiratory issues and nutritional issues are due to tobacco
use, obesity, substance abuse and mental health.

Expanding the Gym Memberships

USI can receive group membership rates at many local gyms such as the Y.M.C.A., Bobs Gym,
Fitness 19, Planet Fitness and other large gyms. Employees will benefit from having more gyms to
participate in fitness that is closer to their local area if they cannot participate at USIs gym.

Program Idea - Weight Loss Challenge

Weight loss is one aspect of fitness that concerns or interests many people. The weight-loss challenge
as either an individual contest or team competition would be advertised across campus to employees
who wish to participate. A prize or prizes based on total number of pounds lost or percentage of
individual or team weight would be awarded after the 6 month period. The possible prizes could be

gift cards, a couple extra vacation days or other prizes. During the competition, for extra points, the
teams could also raise money for charity, have a food drive or a giving back program of their choice.

Program Idea - Fitness Challenge

Those participating within the weight loss challenge can also participate in the fitness challenge. this
could be done as an individual or as a team. Each individual would track the total number of
verifiable hours they exercised during the competition period, how much each person or team
lowered their cholesterol. The main part of the fitness challenge, with participants or teams
competing in tests such as number of sit-ups and push-ups, minutes on a treadmill or jumping rope,
timed laps swum or other measurements, could also be worked into the program. The members
would also work with a fitness professional within the Physical Activities Center to insure that they
are participating safely.

Program Idea - Fitness Activity Participation

The employees would be encouraged to participate in the following activities in order to receive
points:
1. Swimming
2. Group Fitness Classes
3. Weight Training
4. Racquetball
5. Using fitness equipment in the weight room
6. Playing indoor/outdoor intramurals
7. Running on the indoor track or treadmill
8. A number of other Recreational Services activities
This way, it would not be a competition and then they could use the points they earn to buy
different prizes and rewards. The prizes can be in all sizes and if they wish, they can save their points
for the next 6 months and continue participating for more prizes. This also would be the easiest to
continue for the other half of the year.

Program Idea- Miles Club

The Miles Club is a program designed to motivate participants who use cardio equipment. It gives
participants the opportunity to log their miles traveled, set personal goals, and be rewarded for
working out.
-25 Mile Club, final prize a USI water bottle that reads, The 25 Mile Club
-50 Mile Club, final prize a USI towel that reads, The 50 Mile Club
-75 Mile Club, final prize a USI t-shirt that reads, The 75 Mile Club and a gift card
Conclusion
We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of creating and implementing this much needed
program adjustment. We will provide any further information and discuss our ideas at length if
needed. We hope that we will be able to work on this program and anxiously await a reply.