MI Employees to Walk Across America
As an important part of our wellness initiative for employees, the MI Human Resources staff recently rolled out the Wellness Works Walk Across America program. Employees who participate are outfitted with a pedometer that measures each step taken. A walking log is submitted on a weekly basis, and the effort is tracked city by city. As a company, the goal is to accumulate enough steps to reach San Francisco… on paper that is!
Walking groups can now be seen on neighborhood streets during lunch and break periods, although participants can also log hours on their off time. There is even much good natured competition for the spot of Top Walker. “We wanted to introduce a program that combined health benefits and team building,” says Kristine DiFiore, director of human resources. “We underestimated how much fun our staff would have doing this, though. During our first week, as a group, we “walked” to Boston. To reach San Francisco, we will need to log 3,315.63 miles, and I have no doubt this group will do it!”
Walking groups can now be seen on neighborhood streets during lunch and break periods, although participants can also log hours on their off time. There is even much good natured competition for the spot of Top Walker. “We wanted to introduce a program that combined health benefits and team building,” says Kristine DiFiore, director of human resources. “We underestimated how much fun our staff would have doing this, though. During our first week, as a group, we “walked” to Boston. To reach San Francisco, we will need to log 3,315.63 miles, and I have no doubt this group will do it!”
To date, 118 staff members are participating in the journey. Other healthy initiatives are being incorporated into this effort including offering healthy brown bag lunches; a Health Eating review provided by our own staff dietician; and a health screening program. Prizes are offered for completion of key legs of the walk, thanks in part to the support of our partner, Fallon Community Health Plan.
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