He runs 5 miles 6 days per week. He lifts weights for an hour 5 days a week. Who has that kind of time and dedication? Scott Wise has always believed a healthy body has a great affect and impact on a healthy mind and attitude.
"I'm a little obsessive-compulsive," said Scott Wise, President/CEO of a Pots & Pans Production. "But, if I can make it work with 9 restaurants to watch over and 4 kids under the age of 5, I know others can carve out a window in their schedule to get active. I wake up at 5:30 am every day to make it happen and I'm not in bed until 11:30 every night."
Wise has encouraged his employees to exercise with creative employee benefits like company paid health club memberships, reimbursement for Pilates, Kickboxing, Spinning, Zumba, Yoga and reimbursements for completing races, like the Indy Mini, Geist Half Marathon, Bloomington Half Marathon, Mudathalon and more.
Starting in July a group of management will begin the most creative challenge yet, by tracking all their activity with the New Nike+ Fuel Bands.
Wise recently transitioned their company paid health insurance provider over to an HSA (Health Savings Account) plan. With the continual increase in health care costs for small business owners, Wise wanted to find a plan that would offer the correct benefits to his employees; but, also put some extra efforts on the employee's part to decide if medical care is needed or if that cold is just "the sniffles" and they would rather keep that money in their account to have at the end of the year to use for something else.
"I love the ideas behind the HSA plans," said Wise. "We encourage a healthy life style, we give more cash in your HSA for participating to make your lifestyle healthier with better choices and exercise and then letting the employee choose whether a doctor visit is necessary or keeping money in their account for other future use is a great way to mediate the health care system."
"I am always looking for ways to motivate our employees to be healthier," said Wise, "I love technology and when I saw this device I knew it was something that could help people with their exercise programs, especially when I saw how it could sync with their company paid iPhones to track progress. I also think the spirit of competition always can be a great motivator to encourage participation. Of course, cash for participation always works too."
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"Scotty's is a cutting edge employer when it comes to the restaurant and service industry," said Paul Ashley, Benefits Advisor for First Person Benefit Advisors. "This is just one more thing that shows how much they care about their employees, investing in them in a way that changes their lives"
Over 50 members of the management team choose to participate in the program. Over the next 3 months the cost of the $150 band will be deducted from their paychecks, however as long as they meet certain goals they will be completely reimbursed at the end of the challenge. Not only will they get their money back, but Scotty's will deposit an additional $150 into each participants Health Savings Accounts.
"Healthy employees are extremely important to me," continue Wise. "Self confidence is a great by-product of a healthy lifestyle. I think this attitude is necessary in every one of my directors and leaders in this company. And, not only will my people feel better, but I find that they perform better at work, too. With the rising costs of health care, the healthier our staff is, the better our insurance premiums can be as well."
During the first month employees will be encouraged to go about their normal routines, measuring their Nike Fuel points and setting goals accordingly. At the completion of the first month, their individuals points will be reviewed and we will set an activity level increase goal of 5-10% for the second month day period. At the completion of the second month, their individual points will be review and we will set an activity level increase of 10-20% for the third month.
There is also the ability for Scotty's to have a Nike+ community so employees can compete against one another, motivate other members and track their progress as a team. They hope to even challenge other companies and their own individual restaurant management teams in the future with healthy competition.
"We are excited to utilize available technology to encourage our management staff to increase their activity levels," said Wendy Hantelman, Director of HR and coordinator of this program. "Most people can relate to the fact that when exercise is involved, accountability is the make or break piece. The Nike Fuel Band is a way for us to hold each other accountable and make it fun at the same time!"
This challenge comes as the second piece of a yearlong goal to help make employees healthier. Scotty's began working with First Person Benefit Advisors recently introduced a Health Savings Account program for their employees. To kick of the initiative employees received a $300 deposit after doing a wellness exam with their physician.
"The cost of healthcare is obviously rising and the biggest way to fight it is to stay healthy," added Hantelman. "This is our first year working with First Person Benefit Advisors and they have been very helpful in the role out and execution of our wellness platform."
Even though the official challenge doesn't being until July 1st employees are already using the Nike+ Fuel bands and are excited about exercising.
"I have been testing this for over a week," said Brandi Large Guest and Staff Relations Coordinator. "It is a whole new way to motivate you. Not only do track what you did during a workout, but you can also track your day to day walking or basic physical activity."
"I find myself constantly looking down at my wrist, pushing the Fuel+ button and looking to see how many points I've earned, steps I've taken and calories I've burned. I may have to put a treadmill at my desk now," said Wise, jokingly.
If you are interested in joining the Scotty's team you can apply by filling out our entire online application here, or start out by filling out our quick mobile application here.
We want to hear from you. What to you think about this plan? Would this motivate you to exercise? What is your favorite exercise activiy? Comment below and we will randomly pick one winner to receive their own Nike+ Fuelband.
