HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9668 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9668
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 16, 2014
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SUBJECT: Blue Zone Worksite
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Healthways Vice President Julie Wilson provided a briefing on the benefits of Blue Zones
worksite designation at the August 19 pre-Council meeting. In view of the Council's expressed
support for that initiative, this Informal Report describes how City staff is pursuing the designation.
Blue Zone Worksites
Employers are uniquely situated in the Blue Zone Project because of their ability to shape the
workplace environment and improve employee well-being. As a part of the Blue Zone Project
Worksite Pledge, organizations commit to accomplishing certain goals that are aimed at
supporting employee health that will lead to improved productivity, decreased turnover and
reduced healthcare costs.
Achieving Blue Zones Worksite Designation
• At least 25 percent of employees sign the Blue Zones Project Personal Pledge.
• Earn at least 72 out of 109 possible points by implementing pledge actions
• Implement at least one pledge action from each of the six foundational pillars of worksite well-
being.
Foundation Pillars
The foundation pillars are different areas that contain best practices of worksite well-being in the
areas of
• Leadership
• Purpose
• Habitat/Physical Environment
• Engagement/Creation of Social Networking
• Policies & Benefits
• Well-Being Solutions
The Human Resources Department has assessed that of the 109 points possible in best
practices, the City of Fort Worth is currently achieving enough points for a score of 62. A number
of the initiatives that the City is already doing include:
• Prominently display the organization's vision, mission and values in a public place, include
it in the employee handbook, and communicate it to employees at least once a year. (3)
• Offer employer-sanctioned fitness activities (e.g., yoga, kickball, ping pong, fitness classes,
walking clubs) and allow participation during work hours. (2)
• Create a pervasive brand for your health and well-being program. Healthy Challenge! (3)
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9668
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 16, 2014
h�T�i7 Page 2 of 2
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SUBJECT: Blue Zone Worksite
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• Benefits designed to promote prevention (e.g., flu shots, immunizations, and preventive
screenings that are 100 percent covered). (3)
• Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that includes financial education/planning and
stress/depression management (3)
• Provide on-site / available biometric screening for employees. (3)
• Make health benefits available for full-time employees and family members (30+ hours/week).
(3)
• Offer chronic-condition management with coaching. (2)
Additionally there are several initiatives that have been identified as worth pursuing for an
additional 18 points that include:
• Train leaders to encourage the use of walking and/or standing meetings. (2)
• Adopting a formal policy that supports employee volunteer activities within the community in
which they live. (2)
• Complete the Ergonomic Checklist to ensure that office and non-office-based employees have
safe and comfortable environment. (3)
• Encourage use of existing stairwells by using signage to prompt their use, keeping them well-
lit, and decorating them with art or music to increase aesthetic appeal. (2)
• Expand engagement plan for communication that includes metrics for measuring success; a
calendar of social events to encourage employee well-being; and incentives designed to
promote participation. (4)
• Effectively use "place-based media" to communicate well-being messages (e.g., using
stairwells, elevators, restrooms, etc., for location appropriate messages). (2)
• Expand tobacco-free policy to include City grounds. (1)
• Offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) (1)
Summary
The Human Resources Department will work with City management in the coming months to
encourage employees to sign Blue Zone Project Personal Pledges and improve our number of
best practices to achieve being certified as a Blue Zone Worksite.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS