Saint-Gobain wellness program gets national recognition

In just two short years, Saint-Gobain Corporation's "LiveWell" employee wellness program has evolved from a fledgling effort to encourage gym membership to a comprehensive service that has earned kudos from the American Heart Association. This month, the company was one of the first in North America to be designated a Gold-level "Start! Fit Friendly Company."

The award is given by the prestigious non-profit organization to employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of well-being in the workplace. "We commend you for your extraordinary effort in promoting a wellness culture by implementing physical, nutritional, and cultural changes in support of your employees," said M. Cass Wheeler, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.

The program which has spurred employees to incorporate changes in their diet and exercise routines, increase their daily amount of water intake, and stop smoking was created primarily through the efforts of Margaret Fenner-Gulledge, manager of wellness programs and benefits communications for Saint-Gobain. Fenner-Gulledge, a certified physician assistant and university professor with extensive wellness program experience, came to Saint-Gobain in 2005 to build the program.

"We began simply, and have grown the LiveWell program into one that serves the more than 20,000 employees who work at our approximately 190 plants in the United States," she said.

Saint-Gobain Corporation, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., is an $8.6 billion company known for packaging, construction products and high-performance materials. Among its better-known subsidiaries is the building materials company CertainTeed Corporation, also based in Valley Forge. Saint-Gobain operates nine plants in Canada, as well.

The foundation of LiveWell is a variety of challenges throughout the year that are designed to improve overall health and fitness. These include:

• Resolve to LiveWell: A four-week stress management program that incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, adequate sleep, and time for relaxation.
• Chug-a-Jug: A program to help employees increase their amount of daily water intake.
• Step-by-Step: A daily, 10-minute physical activity, such as walking, swimming or riding a bike.
• New Me!: A six-week challenge to encourage making small changes to daily habits, such as consuming fewer sweets.

For each challenge completed, Saint-Gobain employees can earn four LiveWell credits. These credits translate into FlexCHOICE Dollars that can be used to lower the cost of employee benefits during open enrollment each year.

"During the next 12-month period beginning this July, employees can earn up to $250 to defray the cost of their benefits," Fenner-Gulledge explained.

How have employees reacted to the program? "With great enthusiasm," said Fenner-Gulledge.

In an employee feedback site on the company Web site, comments have ranged from "I've lost 130 pounds in nine months," said an administrative assistant in Taunton, Mass., and "My biggest win was how I felt from leaving soft drinks and drinking just water," said a fabricator in Waco, Texas, to "I quit smoking cold turkey and haven't smoked for over 13 months now," from a coater/operator in Avery, Ohio. To date, nearly 20 percent of the Saint-Gobain U.S. population has worked toward earning LiveWell credits.

"We love receiving the positive feedback from our employees," Fenner-Gulledge said. "Some of these testimonials show that people have changed their lives."