Case
Studies
In the corporate
sector where human resource is becoming like oxygen to companies
it is important to take care of them in every way you can. This
section will treat you with articles about time tested companies
and what they do to keep their employees happy. May be you can
benchmark with them...?
Health
is wealth at DaimlerChrysler
The
cost of footing the employees’ medical bills can be quite
a handful. Keeping medical costs low as well as taking care
of employees’ health was a challenge DaimlerChrysle an
Automaker giant took up. By introducing the National Wellness
Programme in the 1980s, DaimlerChrysle was moving through uncharted
waters. Their aim was to keep employees healthy and happy thus
making sure they stayed aboard and afloat!
Today
medical wellness programmes are a common feature in the corporate
world, especially among high risk groups. Through 15 years of
ups and downs the programme still remains a thumping success.
It weathered the Chrysler merger with Daimler-Benz AG in 1998,
came out of it unscathed and in the process received 23 gold
medals awarded by Wellness Councils of America (WEKCOA). The
Wellness programme now serves the need of 81,000 employees in
26 locations.
What
is this programme all about you may ask? Staywell – an
international health provider paired up with DaimlerChrysler
to implement a gargantuan health programme that required 60
coordinators to work on the project. The package consists of
seminars and workshops on health related subjects held 2-5 times
a month. Participants get the chance to earn WellBucks, which
they can exchange for health-related items.
The
programme is not a substitute for doctor’s consultation
and care. It stops at prevention and healthy living. It restricts
itself to taking care of health appraisals and assessment tests,
which gauge an employee’s health. This is done to minimise
risk factors related to stress, diet, health and fitness, cholesterol
and blood pressure levels. An onsite health library and health
videos are also available in addition to this.
Those
in danger of health hazards or risks are eligible for the NextStep
programme that takes care of counselling. This can be conducted
over the telephone and if needed an expert is called in to do
the job. Information regarding problems and illnesses is kept
highly confidential.
A
remarkable feature about the StayWell programme is its efficient
working in dissemination of information. The benefits include
enhanced productivity, better health, reduced absenteeism and
a satisfied employee. DaimlerChrysler refuses to divulge any
information regarding the cost of the training programme, but
it is very vocal about the benefits- reason enough for it to
continue the efforts it pioneered!
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