"You can survive this. Talk to others that have"

InnerLight posted 2/16/2014 21:01 PM

I very rarely see job listings that are looking for my unique qualifications. This company is interested in my being an advanced bodywork practitioner as well as nutritionist. I have done work in corporate settings but its been really a long time. I'm mostly self employed but I am really interested in this position. The company is progressive and one of the best employers in this small town area.

I'd like to walk into this interview having done as much research as I can so I would love your thoughts on workplace wellness programs that you have experienced.

What programs did you find helpful?
What incentives to participate worked the best?
What makes you feel resistant to participating?
Did you feel like your privacy was violated with excessive personal questions or testing?

If you are in HR, what regulations affect workplace wellness programs that I should be up on?
How does the HR person interact with the wellness coordinator?

Please share I am all ears. Thank you so much!

sisoon posted 2/17/2014 04:50 AM

Depending on how much time you have to prepare, humanworkplace.com may have some useful resources, especially in how to phrase what you say. The site has lots of free stuff, and there's a great job info/hunt forum. (My only connection with the site is as an observer.)

Dreamboat posted 2/17/2014 08:36 AM

In the past couple of years my company has started a program where if you do certain things then add money to your HRA or HSA (health reimbursement account/health savings account -- which one you have depends upon which insurance option you choose at my work). Things like: getting a full blood work up and physical; participating in an online program that allows you to get "points" for exercising or following other programs; etc. PM me if you want more details.

Getting money into my HRA to cover my deductible expenses is a HUGE incentive for me. Because of the program I started walking at lunch last year to get my exercise points. I probably would not have done that otherwise.

I have worked in the corporate world for 25 years and honestly this is the first time I have participated in any of the wellness programs. Previous ones were generally lame and had very little incentive unless you were the "winner" (i.e., lose the most weight, log the most miles running,...). With this program, everybody who participates at a certain level "wins".

My company also covers the membership cost if you join the gym in the office building (but not other gyms). The people who live close to the office really like that, but those who commute generally don;t use it because it is not convenient.

hexed posted 2/17/2014 09:44 AM

I think any economic benefit is probably the most effective for people. Particularly in corporate culture it seems like workaholics like myself thrive more than those focused on overall well being. Shifting that thinking is tricky business.

One company I worked for had lunch time yoga in a conference room which I loved. They offered to pay $25/month for any gym membership. I used that. If you worked out at lunch you got an extra 30 minutes. a LOT of people used that.

My SOs company has a reduction in health care premiums if you do certain things like have bloodwork and weight checked. Not absolutes just that you have it done once a year.

I know one company that offered Friday afternoon seminars monthly on a variety of topics. Nutrition, stress management, weight loss, ect. They weren't very popular at first until word got around that the presenter was entertaining and informative. That same company also had 'international' potlucks and recipe challenges for lunch for lunch once a month that were really fun.

I think its a 'know your audience' type of thing. If this company is really committed to a progressive health and wellness attitude you're going to do great!

InnerLight posted 2/17/2014 17:50 PM

Thanks everyone for your information about your wellness programs. I have an interview set up for Wednesday now.

I am gluten free for health reasons. This company produces a product that contains gluten so I do not consume it. Is this a dealbreaker? I think I will not bring it up in the first interview. If a second interview is offered I will think more about it.

I'm the type that doesn't get too excited so I don't waste energy for something that doesn't come through. But I am looking forward to this interview. Fingers crossed.

Mojo request!

Also wondering what to wear!

[This message edited by InnerLight at 5:51 PM, February 17th (Monday)]

GabyBaby posted 2/17/2014 18:20 PM

If you worked out at lunch you got an extra 30 minutes. a LOT of people used that.

reduction in health care premiums if you do certain things like have bloodwork and weight checked.

My company offers both these things and a lot of people (myself included) utilize them. They also gave us a link to a website where we can check in daily for points, get additional points for various healthy activities, etc.

hexed posted 2/18/2014 10:27 AM

IL if I have any left over job mojo its all yours! Good Luck! I hope its homerun.

InnerLight posted 2/18/2014 15:21 PM

Thanks hexed!!!

Yesterday I talked to the FIL of a friend who works there and asked him lots of questions about the corporate culture. It's a very progressive, environmentally conscious company that takes good care of the staff. They have an in-house doctor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, healthy snack vending machines, nutritionist, online wellness portal. The company is larger than I thought, 1,000 or so employees. They offer a generous 401K and education reimbursement.

It sure would change my life to have a great job with great benefits doing something I am good at where I can really grow and get even more excellent at.

I am opening to this turning out well for me!

hexed posted 2/19/2014 16:07 PM

How did it go??

InnerLight posted 2/19/2014 16:32 PM

I had a great first interview. I like the HR person and the person in charge of safety/osha. They asked me questions for an hour and I felt like I answered well. I feel so qualified and capable for this job, and I really like the company. I asked about being gluten free and not partaking of the product personally, and they said there are many others on staff who abstain for various reasons. That may still work against me in ways that cannot be open about, but at least I was up front about it.

I really want this job, I really am jazzed about this company, I feel like I would blend well and be able to excel and contribute a lot. It is so rare that this kind of job comes up. One that includes advanced bodywork and nutrition and the ability to set health programming.

Call back calls next week. 2nd interview would include the doctor on staff so I will bone up (no pun intended) on my anatomy and phys. I think there might be a 3rd interview, not sure.

Almost 6years after D Day I still have lingering issues about financial security so this could be a piece of the puzzle that really helps me put the trauma of the divorce behind me.

mojo mojo mojo mojo mojo!!!!!

InnerLight posted 2/26/2014 18:26 PM

Well I got a personal call from the HR person saying it was a no go. Many amazing applicants, etc., etc., I appreciated the call but of course disappointed that I didn't make it to a second interview.

I asked if they would be interested in me participating in their on site clinic on a PT contract basis and she sounded positive about that, she liked my experience w stress management and mindfulness. Of course nothing definite but the door is open a little crack.

It's a bummer but I will continue w my students and my own clients. It would have been hard to say goodbye to them. I will just have to keep working on making being self employed more financially secure.

gahurts posted 2/27/2014 08:39 AM

IL,

So sorry that they said it was a no go. Did they give you any specifics other than that there were better candidates? Can you refute any of those specifics?

If so, write a thank you e-mail that you send to everyone who interviewed you and spell out why this would not be an issue but that you have much to bring to the table and lay out additional specifics. Or spell out the value you bring by working PT in their clinic.

Either way, make sure to thank everyone for their time and close by wishing the company and them all individually much success regardless of the outcome. It may open that door more than a crack.

I did this for my last interview and within 24 hours I went from "We cannot move forward" to being in a close 2nd place. I didn't get the job but the company struggled in making their decision and when I saw the qualifications of the person who was hired, I agreed that I would have hired him, too.

Feel free to PM me if you want help putting this together.