Employee Wellness Programs

Employee Wellness Programs Best Practices

Launched September 2014; Updated August 2023

Transit agencies are continuing to develop wellness programs as they recognize the importance of employee physical and mental well-being on and off the job site, especially for drivers. 


Challenging work environments, like those faced every day by transit staff, have been shown to greatly increase stress in employees, and stress is linked with numerous physical ailments. Workers suffering from chronic diseases, lack of sleep, injuries, and other illnesses take more days off and are less productive. It has been shown that better employee health leads to lower health care costs, less absenteeism, lower risk of injury, and better overall performance. Taking care of workers by creating a wellness program is a valuable investment. 


Employee wellness programs often involve exercise and weight-loss challenges, informational workshops, and partnerships with local exercise facilities or wellness experts. 


Though it is not always easy to plan, develop, and implement a wellness program that suits everyone, starting small is key. This article highlights several thriving employee wellness programs.




Case Study – Nebraska Transit Agency Wellness Program

Nebraska Wellness Program Ad showing water bottle

Since January 2021, University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK), Nebraska Safety Center, and University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Center for Public Affairs Research, have provided a statewide Transit Agency Wellness Program, to provide wellness related topics and practices and make them easier to understand and more attainable to add into the daily routines of rural transit staff.  Funded through Nebraska Department of Transportation, the program includes a 5 Minutes of Wellness video series, designed so everyone can take just a few minutes out of their day to consciously get movement squeezed into their schedule and take a small step toward wellness.  The program reaches about 170 transit managers, State DOT staff, university staff, and others, and publishes a quarterly newsletter that is sent out to 50 transit agencies and 93 counties throughout the state.  Issues feature a wellness challenge, a delicious and health-conscious recipe to try out, and featured wellness topics.


For example, the July 2023 newsletter launched a 7-Day Challenge in mindfulness. Each day, participants would perform one task, such as eat mindfully, do a digital detox, journal, and others, to enter a contest to win a public transit sports water bottle.  About 20 members participate in a challenge each quarter.


Sam Colligan has served as the program’s event and outreach coordinator and graphic designer since 2022. As a graphic designer, he’s always used inspirational quotes in his artwork and brings much inspiration to the wellness program.  Among the program’s biggest successes has been Panhandle Public Health District’s Nicole Berosek’s virtual presentation on stress management. Over 40 managers attended this presentation and relayed the information to their drivers. For the upcoming year, Sam wants to set up a “lunch and learn” series for drivers, so they can learn from speakers directly on how to manage their stress, stay active, and eat healthy foods.  Attendees may even take a walk together.


Through the Nebraska Transit Agency Wellness Program, people have a better knowledge of their health and wellness and acknowledge the importance of their health more.  Getting everyone to realize that small changes can make big differences within a transit agency is a goal of the program.  “If you are thinking of starting a wellness program, start out simple.  Cater the program to your employees and what can help them in their everyday lives. Get everyone to understand the importance of healthy living,” explains Sam.


Additional Examples of Transit Wellness Programs

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in California, has a wellness program and employs a Wellness Coordinator, who received a certification from the National Wellness Institute as a Certified Workplace Wellness Professional. Components of AC Transit’s Wellness Program include wellness newsletters, onsite health seminars, healthy vending machine options, organic fruit for staff, fitness challenges, and more.

Community Transit

Community Transit in Snohomish County, Washington offers a driver wellness program with a variety of services and activities throughout the year, such as an onsite health coach and personal trainer, onsite fitness centers with treadmills, recumbent bikes, weights, and elliptical machines, wellness workshops and screenings, fitness challenges, cook offs, and other activities.

OATS Transit

OATS Transit in Missouri launched a Wellness for Life program in 2012. The program has held events including a Biggest Loser competition, 90 Miles in 90 Days Walk Across Missouri, Spring into Motion, and additional activities and events.

Acknowledgments

National RTAP is grateful for the contributions to and review of this article by Jill Stedem, Administrative & Development Director, OATS Transit, and Sam Colligan, Event and Outreach Coordinator/ Graphic Designer, Nebraska Safety Center.

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