Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Group 22 - Houston
Jennifer Houston
6 November 2017
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Refresher - Our workplace is a call service company with very sedentary practices, and lacks
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zRlwrMUUeRU1lLiobVuzi_h0S0IWsUfgzM9lhC-U87s/edit
Introduction
promote a healthier and more active environment. This culture change will appeal to the social,
emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual aspects of all employees. The goal is to reform
Houston 22 Reformers through the integration of physical activities in the workplace and to
throughout Houston 22 Reformers. In the following sections we will look into physical activities
that can be implemented in the workplace, as well as the immediate and long term results for all
of the employees. Our committee is comprised of Ashleigh Gardner, Marlene Kaye, Ruby
Padilla, Chelsea Johnston, Rachel Tidwell, Jasmine Dunn, and Kristen Kidd.
Social
some cases, healthy competition(Wagner, 2012). In our company, we hope to encourage our
employees to stay healthy and active. One great way to do this is to encourage them to do
activities together. In our workspace, we plan to place a bulletin board in the common work
space area. On this board, we will provide useful information on healthy habits and eating right.
We will also collaborate with businesses in the area that provide physical fitness classes such
as a gym, yoga studio, indoor rock climbing, pilates, etc. We plan to reach out to these
companies and provide our employees with discounts on classes. On the bulletin board, we will
have sign-up sheets listing these different activities. Our employees will be able to see who is
going to a class, and hopefully, this will encourage them to join them.
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In our company, we also provide a space where employees are encouraged to eat their
lunch. In this room there is a small kitchen, couches and tables where employees can hang out
during their lunch break. We also will let employees have small breaks where they can relax in
Emotional
Our company recognizes emotional health of our staff as an important aspect of overall
health which can be affected by the working environment as well as all other areas in a persons
life. Our company is looking to offer both professional accessibility (mental health
professionals) and holistic approaches to accommodate all staff preferences and needs. A
holistic approach includes, a focus on managing stress, getting more restorative sleep, finding a
balance between your work and home life, fostering connections within the workplace and larger
community, and taking care of financial health. 2016 is seeing an increase in mindfulness and
resiliency training. The thought being that if employees are better able to the manage their
stress it will be easier for them to make healthier lifestyle choices (Wellnessfits, 2014). Areas
are provided for meditation and socialization purposes to meet all needs, along with the physical
health changes as well. By offering training and assistance in various stress management
areas, our company is working to help all staff to have a positive action plan for facing the stress
both at work and in other areas of their life. We believe that happy, healthy employees are more
productive.
Physical
Standing desks/adjustable furniture will be added to our floor, removing the standard
cubicles. Each employee will have the chance of opting out of standing furniture. The new
furniture will be at the companys expense without any charge to the employee. Chairs will still
be available for those who choose/need. If you have special physical needs, the equivalent will
be provided for those who qualify. We will encourage our employees to get healthy by
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promoting different athletic teams within the office. We will have a different office intramural
team that will last approximately 6-8 weeks depending on the participation. With this action, we
hope to promote healthier lifestyles and also increase camaraderie among employees.
Participation is not mandatory but is encouraged. In addition, we will also have office
participation in sponsored mud runs such as Tough Mudder or Spartan Races and all are
encouraged to sign up. The company will also have employer reimbursement for up to 200
dollars annually for health and fitness memberships. Finally, there will be an office gym
available for all employees. Employees will be paid up to 4 hours weekly for working out in the
office gym. We hope the availability would encourage all employees to live a happier healthier
lifestyle. This will correlate into a boost in productivity among employees and a healthier
workforce.
Intellectual
Our company is seeking to improve the intellectual well-being of our employees primarily
through making updates in physical and cultural contexts that improve cognitive functioning. For
example, one benefit of standing desks is that it promotes physical movement which stimulates
energy and cognitive function. Stromberg (2014) argues that while the statement may be
somewhat exaggerated, sitting is the new smoking in the sense of medical health risks and
cognitive distraction. For example, in our office we answer calls all day and must be ready to
pick up the phone whenever it rings. However, that sitting break in between each call is like
constant naptime, with little productivity or brain stimulation (see visual). In light of this, we
propose that in addition to the cognitive benefits of proper nutrition and physical activity (like
standing desks), our company uses time in between calls as opportunity to work on puzzles or
brain teasers as a group. These activities would be located on desk computers and could be
Spiritual
Studies have shown that workplaces with good sunlight exposure had a 3%-40% gain in
productivity and sales, workers with natural elements (i.e. greenery and sunlight) were found to
be 15% more creative than those without, and an increase in greenery view quality and natural
light exposure reflected a 6.5% variation in sick leave (Buchanan, Sayago 2016). In our office,
we encourage mindful practice, which is highly beneficial spiritually. Mindfulness is a great way
to reduce negative stress, and can be linked to showing an overall improvement to ones
general health (Ackerman 2017). In the workplace specifically, a study which required
work-related stress, greater job satisfaction, and, ultimately enhanced job performance as rated
by their employers (Shonin, Van Gordon, Dunn, Singh, & Griffiths, 2014). In order to increase
and maintain positive vibes in our workplace community, we encourage employees to engage in
the communal bulletin board in which they are able to read and/or post positive notes others
have posted. Reading and/or writing encouraging words could be a great way for employers to
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start off their days, and can be helpful when one feels they need some words of
encouragement.
Conclusion
Changing the culture of our current work environment benefits employees in physical and
mental health and nutrition, but it also benefits our company. Insurance rates will improve
because the need for health care benefits will decrease. However, the company will excel in
finances as well. Revenue will increase from a more productive and satisfied workforce.
Turnover will be reduced given the social and caring environment created. Customer
satisfaction will also likely increase from the improved attitude amongst employees. This
performance will create unity, stronger customer retention, and attraction of top talents for future
employees.
References
Ackerman, C. (2017, March 6). The 23 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness for Body and
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/benefits-of-mindfulness/
Buchanan, A., & Sayago, J. (2016, April 18). Why Natural Light Matters in the
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business.com/opinion/why-natural-light-matters-in-the-workplace
Mildon, E. (2015, November 11). 6 Ways a Holistic Approach Can Change Your Life.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-mildon/6-ways-a-holistic-approach-can-change-y
Positive Post It Notes [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2017, from
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/56/b0/c8/56b0c82bbb1a8ddd07bca5dddab22de9--college-b
athroom-decor-motivation-wall.jpg
Schulman, A. (2017). 8 Tips for Better Vibes in your Home & Workplace. Retrieved November
5, 2017, from
https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/2015/03/31/add-positive-vibes-home-workspace/
standing-desks-180950259/our-life_b_8427336.html
https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-importance-of-fitness-buddies/
http://www.activewellness.com/blog/5-ways-corporate-wellness-is-changing