Enhancing Employee Wellness at Schnabel
Introduction
Employee wellness programs have become a cornerstone of corporate culture, prioritizing the health and engagement of employees. Schnabel, a prominent geostructural design and construction firm, has leveraged YuMuuv, an innovative wellness challenge platform, to boost its employee wellness initiatives. This case study explores the partnership between Schnabel and YuMuuv, focusing on the implementation of a wellness challenge that not only engaged employees but also fostered a sense of community and competition within the company.
Company Background: Schnabel
Schnabel operates primarily in the United States, specializing in complex geostructural projects including deep foundation work, underground parking garages, tunneling for utilities and transportation, and natural disaster mitigation. With fluctuating employee numbers between 250 and 350, due to the project-based nature of their work, Schnabel's workforce consists of both field and office personnel.
The Challenge: A Challenge of Olympic Proportions
Schnabel's wellness initiative took form as the "A Challenge of Olympic Proportions" challenge, a company-wide endeavor involving 47 participants who aimed to cumulatively walk the equivalent distance from their corporate office in Sterling, Virginia to Paris, France—over eight million steps. The initiative was not only a test of physical endurance but also a creative way to integrate wellness into the daily lives of Schnabel’s employees.
Implementation and Impact
Schnabel chose YuMuuv after exploring various options through their health insurance provider and conducting a thorough Google search for wellness programs. The decision to partner with YuMuuv was driven by its ease of use and comprehensive features that aligned with the company's health and wellness objectives.
The "A Challenge of Olympic Proportions" challenge was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Participants not only reached but exceeded their goal by 464%, a testament to the collective effort and motivation among the team. The challenge incorporated an internal contest, rewarding employees who surpassed one million steps with fitness-related prizes. This approach not only heightened engagement but also encouraged a healthy competition that resonated well within the team dynamics.
Employee Engagement and Feedback
One of the most notable outcomes of the challenge was the high level of engagement across the company. Employees actively shared updates, photos, and messages, creating a lively and interactive community. This was facilitated through YuMuuv's platform, which provided a seamless interface for communication and progress tracking, breaking down silos and fostering interaction across different departments.
Transformative Effects on Health and Team Dynamics
The challenge had significant positive effects on employees’ health, with numerous participants reporting personal health improvements. One remarkable story was of an employee who lost 40 pounds during the challenge, which positively affected his lifestyle, allowing him to engage in activities like soccer and hiking with family.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the success, there were areas identified for enhancement. The main feedback from Schnabel was related to the manual entry of steps. For future challenges, Schnabel suggests restricting manual entries to ensure fairness, especially when prizes are involved, as some high step counts raised concerns about the accuracy of self-reported data.
Conclusion
The partnership between Schnabel and YuMuuv illustrates the power of a well-structured wellness program in enhancing employee health and fostering a vibrant corporate culture. As Schnabel continues to develop its wellness initiatives, the insights gained from the Schnabel Health Challenge will guide future endeavors, aiming for even greater engagement and health benefits. This case study not only highlights the success of the initiative but also serves as an inspiration for other companies looking to invest in their employees' well-being.
