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w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m November 2015 • /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING | 19 stronger community as we strive for common goals." Impact on small companies It might make sense to have clinics and wellness centers available for employees of larger companies, like Miller Electric and Menasha Corp. But these initiatives are not just limited to big companies. Smaller businesses are starting their own programs and clinics for employees to use. Mary Felton, an independent HR consultant, has worked with companies such as Miller Electric and Tidi Products to help launch health and wellness programs. Felton currently works with Health Payment Systems in Milwaukee, a company with 70 employees, which implemented an onsite health care clinic. A nurse practitioner and health coach are each on site two hours per week, and the company is saving money thanks to its new program, Felton says. "For every dollar we invest, we are getting $2.78 back in return," Felton says. "We were able to reduce our health care costs by 23 percent, which goes to show you don't need hundreds of employees to make a program like this work." When companies are thinking about adding wellness programs for their employees, there are certain details that need to be addressed before unveiling a plan. "Employers who are in the infancy stages of a healthy lifestyle and wellness initiatives need to know that achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyles is a journey, not a destination," Strange says. "An employer needs to understand their employees and what they value in health and wellness." Healthy lifestyle coaching Besides diagnosing a cold or other illness, nurses can also act as a health coach for those looking to change their lifestyle. Whether creating an BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MADE BETTER. YOU CAN BANK ON IT. Fox Valley (920) 237-5126 Green Bay (920) 469-0500 Manitowoc (920) 652-3100 Sheboygan (920) 694-1900 For better banking, think First www.BankFirstNational.com Opening in January! 4201 W. WISCONSIN AVE., APPLETON Your first-class banking experience is about to arrive... exercise routine or developing a healthier diet, some companies offer these services as part of their wellness programs. As Felton describes, a health coach goes beyond educating employees about a healthy lifestyle. "Many health coaches are trained in behavioral modification, so they know how to work with individuals to help modify their behavior so they can be healthier," Felton says. It's no secret that the work you put into keeping your employees happy and healthy, will in turn, affect the employee's overall work ethic. Miller Electric continues to stay true to this model. "We understand that a healthy workforce is happier and more productive," Pintar says. "We really believe programs like this are making a difference for our employees, and they in turn are taking this back to their families as well." F