Conference 7.286::digital

	There is a notes conference on the ZKO wellness center.

ZKO Wellness Program		UCOUNT::ZKO_WELLNESS_PROGRAM		 1154

		Alfred

    
    Westfield has one.
    

	SHR (Shrewsbury) and NKS-1 (SHR splinter) each have one.    

     The NRO complex (Northboro, MA) has one.

    Can some one tell me what a "Wellness Center" is?
    
    Lou

>>    Can some one tell me what a "Wellness Center" is?
    
	I don't know if this is completely accurate but to me a Wellness
	Center is a facility that has exercise equipment, maybe aerobics
	classes, yoga classes, instruction on nutrition and exercise, etc.

    Can someone whose facility *has* a wellness center tell us what
    it is??

>>    Can someone whose facility *has* a wellness center tell us what
>>    it is??

	My facility (ZKO) has a wellness center and it has the things
	listed in .6.  They also provide things like physical exams, 
	blood pressure and cholesterol tests, seminars on health related
	topics, etc.

And showers.  Basically it's a gym.

    I'm from MKO and we have one and I'm a member.  We have 1100 people
    signed up with about 600-700 active members [NH View, June5].
    
    Before Someone puts this under waste watch, caution, this is one
    of the smarter moves the company has done.
    I've beenin one for 4 months now.  I've lost 60 lbs, eliminated
    $60/ month in medications, lowered BP, lowered colerestral level.
    Savings to DEC in medical costs, a healther employee with more
    energy.
    Now this could be done on my own time through a private health club,
    but there's something about having it local with *quality* trainers
    like are available through our Life Center [or wellness center].
    Evidenced in the fact of number of employees who accually participate
    vs number of employees who work in MKO.
    ed
    

    WMO has a DECfit center. The cost of setting it up and maintaining
    it (to my knowledge) was largely or entirely paid out of the
    money made by recyling paper.
    
    Bonnie

    At ZKO the employees attending the aerobics classes pay a fee
    to fund them.  I believe the yoga classes work the same way.
    
    Martin H.

    
    Is it true that you have to be an employee at a site that has a
    wellness center in order to join?  That's what I heard about membership
    at ZKO's wellness center.
    
    If that is true, and an employee works at a site which DOES NOT
    have a wellness center, do we have a double standard here?
    
    Dave

   
>   If that is true, and an employee works at a site which DOES NOT
>   have a wellness center, do we have a double standard here?
 
    Not really. The wellness centers are funded *by the site*. If you are at
a site that doesn't fund one, your management has chosen to spend that money
elsewhere.

    
    As an employee at a wellness site, the management budgets in the
    center? So, the employee has no fees to pay?
    Are there any sites where Dec will pick up the tab on an external
    wellness center?
    I agree wholeheartedly that there are many hidden benefits to centers
    like these mentioned in the note. I wish we had some kind
    of equivalent here in the NY area.
    

It all varies from site to site. Here at ZKO, the wellness center allows free
use of all the equipment (mostly nautilus-type machines), and exercise bikes,
rowing machines, and treadmills.

Yoga, aerobics and jazzercise are all taught by outside contractors, and charge
a fee.

At MKO, aerobics is taught by the Life Center staff, and is at no charge.

    Obviously a fee is charged for some activities.  The "fees" for
    the use of the wellness center are picked up by the site (inferred
    from .14)
    
    As an employee at a non-wellness center site, why can't I hava an 
    option to pay a fee to use the wellness center? 
    
    I'm not complaining, but standing in my shoes I see hundreds of
    dollars a year to be spent on external fitness centers where other
    employees get it for free, a benefit they neglected to mention in
    the benefits booklet.  Maybe it wouldn't be so expensive if I would
    be allowed to participate in a program at a DEC site.  Maybe that
    site could even make some money at it and still be the best deal
    from my standpoint.
    
    Just trying to make the conversation interesting.
    
    Dave

    
        

     Gee , we had to pay a fee in order to use our wellness center 
     here at Northboro.  I think the charge was $20.  I don't remember 
     if that is per year, or ?  I'll find out pretty soon, its been 
     about a year since I signed up.

    Thanks,
    
    832.6 and 832.8
    
    
    It sounds like the Stow facility has a "Wellness Center"
    
    PS: I thought it had something to do with JOBS - Like a source of
    jobs...............
    
    
    LOU

    Our Wellness Center opened up back in November '88.  As of yet, we
    pay no fees.  There will, however, be a $60 annual,
    non-refundable fee as soon as the committee can decide on how to
    collect the money.  Believe it or not, that's the big issue.
    
    In order to join our center, you have to go through testings for
    the insurance purposes and to let the nurses know your overall
    health.  Anyone over 40 has to be seen by their private physician 
    before they are allowed to join the center.
    
    Since we have 2 shifts in this plant, there is a lot of discuss
    around opening the center after the evening shift is over.
    Right now the center is open 5 days a week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    You are not allowed to use the center during breaks or lunch.
    Personnel has met with the evening shift regarding a test
    run of opening the center for 2 hours around 11 p.m. or so to
    1 a.m.  That would be great!!!!
    
    I went through the testing so that if I, in fact, decide to
    join, I could do so.  However, at this point in time, my
    schedule does not allow me the opportunity to utilize it before
    my shift.  I can't wait until it is opened up this fall after
    my evening shift hours.  I will then join.
                            
    
    Those other facilities with a Wellness Center, what are your
    hours? Is participation high?  What would you like to see added
    that is not already there?

    
>    In order to join our center, you have to go through testings for
>    the insurance purposes and to let the nurses know your overall
>    health.  Anyone over 40 has to be seen by their private physician 
>    before they are allowed to join the center.
   
#SET SARCASM
Great!! Us fat old guys have to get in shape before we can join!
Wonderful concept.
#SET NOSARC

    re: .20
    
    Why aren't you allowed to use the Wellness Center during lunch??

    re .21 .  Not true.  I'm an old fat guy and they let me in.  I did
    have to have a note from my doctor and mother though.  Now I'm still
    old, but not so fat (-60 pounds since 1-march-89).
    ed
    

    RE .23
    
    Responding to your title -< all can join >-.... not true.  see .13

    We're not allowed to use the center during lunchtime due to the
    fact that management feels that we can't get in, do our routine,
    shower and then get back to the job all in 30 minutes.  Also,
    the fact that the evening shift utilizes the center during
    the day's lunchtime.  It wouldn't be fair for them to have to
    wait to for the equipment.
    
    Overall, it's been a great investment in Digital

  Re -.1: I'm confused. Are there really a lot of second shift people using
the Wellness Center during first shift lunch? If so, do these people make a
special trip to WFO to use the wellness center or do they hang around for 3
hours and then go to work? I assume the people who are not allowed to use
the wellness center during lunch or breaks are also not allowed to use it
during work hours. If so, is there an overload in the late afternoon when these
people get out of work?