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A GUIDE TO WORKPLACE WELLNESS

HONOREES

The 2019 Illinois’ Healthiest Employers Awards are sponsored by Cigna and conducted by health analytics provider Springbuk Inc. in association with Crain’s Content Studio. Here are this year’s winners and top finalists.

2-99 EMPLOYEES

WINNER: CONNOR & GALLAGHER ONESOURCE Finalists: SEIU Local 4 Health and Welfare Fund, Shop Smart LLC

100-499 EMPLOYEES

WINNER: WESPATH BENEFITS AND INVESTMENTS Finalists: The Horton Group, SPINS LLC

500-1,499 EMPLOYEES

WINNER: ROSECRANCE HEALTH NETWORK Finalists: AssetMark, First Busey Corp.

1,500-4,999 EMPLOYEES

WINNER: CNO FINANCIAL GROUP Finalists: Riverside Healthcare, CBIZ

5,000+ EMPLOYEES

WINNER: HUMANA INC. Finalists: JLL, Meredith Corp.

Sponsored by:

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What Makes a Workplace Wellness Winner?

2019 Illinois’ Healthiest Employers Weigh In

By Jane Adler

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aunching an employee wellness program may stretch an organization, but the results are well worth the effort.

Good examples are the winners of the 2019 Illinois’ Healthiest Employers Awards, recognizing organizations that make workplace wellness a priority. More than 8,000 employers of all sizes in 45 cities participate in the program.

The 8th annual awards ceremony was held September 27 at Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks’ state-of-theart practice facility and community ice rink. Crain’s Content Studio and global health insurer Cigna teamed up to host the awards event, which offered a chance for attendees to get active.

The program kicked off with an upbeat stretch and dance routine. Participants also had the opportunity to “shoot the puck,” enjoy a skate on the ice, and grab a photo with Blackhawks legend Brian Campbell, who presented the awards.

The opening stretch routine was a perfect metaphor for the event. Once considered a stretch assignment for organizations, workplace wellness is now often ingrained in corporate culture and part of the everyday work routine, helping to attract and retain the best talent.

This is the fourth year Cigna has sponsored the awards.

“The winners are making a difference in the health of their employees,” said Brian Marsella, market president, Cigna Midwest. “Fostering a culture of wellness is essential to create a healthier workforce.”

Marsella noted that healthy employees improve productivity, miss fewer workdays and help lower healthcare

Brian Marsella, Cigna costs. “Healthy employees are happier, too,” he added.

Former Blackhawks defenseman Campbell shared his wellness routine with the audience. He enjoys yoga and said working out and having a healthy lifestyle has made him a better person, a better dad and a better husband. The secret is to establish a routine and stick to it, he said. “Get your workouts in.

Stay active.”

Fifteen finalists were recognized at the awards program. Contestants are evaluated on six areas of corporate health and wellness: culture and leadership commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, communication marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analytics.

Applicants are grouped by number of employees so organizations compete against like-sized groups. The award is powered and scored by Springbuk, a health analytics company.

First, second and third place finishers in each size category were announced at the event.

The first place winner in the category of 2-99 employees was Connor & Gallagher OneSource, Lisle, an insurance brokerage firm that offers risk management, employee benefits and other services. “Receiving first place is a fantastic way for us to celebrate our wellness program accomplishments,” said Kayla Roeske, director of wellness, Connor & Gallagher OneSource. The company’s integrated wellness platform awards points for wearable devices, emotional health, meditation, and preventive care. The wellness committee also provides points for workplace wellness initiatives such as Movin’ Mondays, Walkin’ Wednesdays, fitness classes, smoothie days, yogurt parfait days,

Event photos by Stephen Serio ILLINOIS’ HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS

CRAIN’S CONTENT STUDIO ADVERTISING SECTION wellness lunch and learns, one-toone financial wellness consults, and volunteer days.

Wespath Benefits and Investments, Glenview, the health, retirement and investment arm of the United Methodist Church, won first place in the category of 100-499 employees. “The founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, was a big proponent of wellbeing,” said Leah Holzwarth, manager of health and wellbeing, Wespath. “We have a strong culture of health which matches our Methodist tradition.” The group’s wellness programs enjoy high participation and engagement rates.

Last year, 87% of employees completed the online health assessment and biometric screening participation rates are above average at 65%.

category of 1,500-4,999 employees.

Grace Brothers, vice president of total rewards at CNO, said the competition offers the opportunity to benchmark CNO’s program against the best practices of other organizations. A significant feature of CNO’s wellness program is the on-site health clinics at each of its locations, available to employees and their families.

“Winning this award shows that what we are doing makes a difference,” Brothers said.

Rosecrance Health Network, Rockford, a provider of behavioral health services, won first place in the category of 5001,499 employees. The organization has expanded through mergers and acquisitions, and is careful to include new workers in the wellness program.

“We try to understand the culture of different groups and introduce wellness features to enhance our culture,” said Kristin Hamblock, director of compensation and benefits.

CNO Financial Group, a provider of health and life insurance, and retirement solutions, with offices in Chicago, won first place in the

Brian Campbell, Blackhawks legend

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Scott Fee, Springbuk (center)

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By Jane Adler

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Wellness Program Tips

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uccessful wellness programs start with good ideas. Here are the top 10 tips from the winners of the 2019 Illinois’ Healthiest Employers Awards.

Measure results. It’s hard to get senior management buy-in if the results can’t be quantified. “Evaluate your program,” says Kayla Roeske, director of wellness, Connor & Gallagher OneSource (1st place, 2-99 employees). The Lislebased insurance broker also offers risk management, employee benefits and other services.

Encourage engagement. Give employees an opportunity to share what wellness in the workplace means to them, advises Elnalyn Costa, administrator, SEIU Healthcare IL Benefit Funds, Chicago (2nd Place, 2-99 employees).

“This is one reason why we have 100% staff participation and a high level of satisfaction in our wellness program.” It’s important to listen openly and sponsor the program initiatives employees have helped to develop, she adds. For example, the success of a fruit club led to the launch of a veggie club.

Get creative. While it’s easy to focus on premiums and deductibles, some of the best program ideas are free. Brad’s Deals by Shop Smart, a Chicago-based online service that finds the best prices, (3rd Place, 2-99 employees), launched a program called Art in the Workplace. The company purchased painting supplies and held painting workshops. “The employees that participated disclosed that they felt less stressed,” says Jessica Adams, vice president of human resources. More than a dozen paintings by employees were displayed throughout the office. “It was another example of our core values and the way we celebrate the individuality of each person working at Brad’s Deals.”

Consider outsourcing. Rosecrance Health Network, Rockford (1st Place, 500-1,499 employees), works with an outside vendor, Interactive Health. Employees can communicate online with the vendor about test results and follow up with case managers. “Employees have a comfort level because we don’t intrude. We have an arm’s length distance from the process,” says Kristin Hamblock, director of compensation and benefits at Rosecrance.

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to Help Your Workplace Thrive Analyze claims data. A review of insurance claims can provide a program roadmap, according to Grace Brothers, vice president, total rewards, CNO Financial Group, a provider of health and life insurance and retirement solutions, with offices in Chicago (1st Place, 1,500-4,999 employees).

What chronic health issues need to be addressed? Can interventions be created to reduce claims and overall healthcare costs? What programs would have the biggest impact?

premium discounts, and other perks.

Since the program’s launch in 2014, Busey has contributed more than $2.2 million to associates through these incentives. “Not only do associates work towards their personal health and wellness goals, they are rewarded for doing so,” says Kelli Baker, assistant vice president, wellness director, First Busey.

Pool resources. Ask insurance carriers and other benefits partners what help they can provide. “We work with Cigna, which has a

brainstorms ideas and builds a vision for the program. Other departments get involved. The company’s internal graphics department helped create the cross-country map for a virtual step challenge.

Personalize the program. Employees can choose their own wellness program at Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee (2nd Place, 1,500-4,999 employees).

“We have designed our program to engage employees and spouses at different levels,” says Becky Hinrichs,

“We work with Cigna, which has a great benefits person.”

-Shelly Monroe, human resources manager, health and wellness, AssetMark

Offer incentives. Associates at First Busey Corp. (3rd Place, 500-1,499 employees), a financial institution based in Champaign, are rewarded with quarterly incentives as they participate in challenges, track their progress and earn points. Incentives include cash, health savings account contributions,

great benefits person,” says Shelly Monroe, human resources manager, health and wellness, AssetMark (2nd Place, 500-1,499 employees), an investment management firm that serves financial advisors and has offices in Chicago. AssetMark created a wellness committee that

vice president of human resources at Riverside. “They can choose what their program looks like.” The program has three levels. Incentives are geared toward the level of employee involvement. Activities are tailored to the individual who, for example, can earn points for meeting with a financial

counselor, attending a wellness event or volunteering in the community.

Make the program sustainable. “A wellness program is a long-distance run, not a sprint,” says Deborah Sherman, director of compensation and benefits, CBIZ, a professional advisory services firm with offices in Chicago (3rd place, 1,500-4,999 employees).

Leadership support is crucial, she adds, but be prepared to adapt the program based on feedback from employees as the business evolves. “Your resources, pace and focus may have to change,” Sherman says.

Build in accountability. The Horton Group, an insurance, employee benefits and risk advisory firm based in Orland Park (2nd Place, 100-499 employees), incentivized visits with a registered dietician by awarding points to employees. “Be aggressive and strategic,” says Laura Czekanski, wellness supervisor at Horton. By awarding points, employees were more likely to attend multiple sessions and remain accountable.

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Is Loneliness Making Chicagoans Sick?

By Brian Marsella

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veryone can feel lonely from time to time. Whether it’s missing a loved one, being disconnected from your community or feeling out of place in the office, a sense of isolation can lead to more than just a temporary sad mood. In fact, research shows that loneliness is a growing public health problem that can affect both physical and mental health.1

Even if you don’t feel lonely, chances are you know someone who does. Cigna surveyed 20,000 adults to understand the impact of loneliness on Americans and our Loneliness Index2 showed that: • Nearly 50% reported sometimes or always feeling alone • One in four Americans rarely or never feels as though there are people who understand them • Adults age 18–22 are the loneliest generation and claim to be in worse health than people older than them How does loneliness affect physical health?

The two go hand-in-hand. Feeling alone is common among people with chronic conditions. Alarmingly, data3 shows that loneliness has the same impact on death rates as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

As we recognize the healthiest employers in Illinois, it’s important to understand how the workplace can be a foundation for improving well-being. Cigna encourages employers to offer a wide range of integrated health benefits – medical, dental, mental health and pharmacy – because people have many interconnected needs. And employers play a critical role in addressing loneliness among their staff.

The office is a community where we spend much of our lives, so the relationships we build with colleagues matter.

Loneliness affects how we work and how well we work – it can reduce performance, limit creativity and diminish executive functioning.4 Feeling lonely and disconnected at work can be stressful, leading to anxiety and decreased productivity. Having positive, supportive relationships with colleagues can help increase feelings of connectivity.

Chicago employers can lead the way in promoting mental well-being in the workplace. It starts by establishing a culture of inclusiveness that encourages connections among all employees.

Local Cigna clients provide innovative opportunities like Adult Recess and Doggie De-Stress Day to connect with peers and create meaningful relationships.

Employers can also offer a comprehensive health plan. Many company-sponsored plans have programs to help employees manage feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Such benefits include annual preventive screenings and employee assistance programs, or EAP, to help with life’s stresses.

Cigna’s survey found getting the right balance of sleep, work, socializing with friends, family and “me time” is connected to lower levels of loneliness. Here are tips to help deal with loneliness: • Take advantage of health plan benefits that support overall well-being. Check out your company health plan’s website, call the phone number on the insurance card or ask the HR representative for details about available benefits.

• Talk with a doctor about physical and mental health concerns. Feeling lonely or sad? Say so, and ask what to do about it.

• Talk to friends. Ask if they’ve ever spoken with a counselor or doctor about how they’re feeling, and if they have a recommendation on who can help.

• Draw strength from others. Talking to people in similar situations can be helpful.

Daily Strength (www.dailystrength.org/ groups) connects people to online support groups. Mental Health America (www. mentalhealthamerica.net/find-supportgroups) can help locate support groups in the local area.

• Get the right amount of sleep each night.

Limit technology use right before bedtime.

• Energize your body and mind. Consider joining an exercise class or a running group. Recently, Cigna sponsored the Chicago Park District’s’ Senior Games, a five-week series of activities for Chicagoans age 50+. This provided a great opportunity to get physically active and socialize. We also joined Cigna offices across the country to sponsor a series of Shatterproof 5k run/walks to honor those lost to opioid addiction, and help erase the stigma around addiction.

• Get involved in the community. Although “me time” is essential to good health, it’s important to balance time alone with social activities. Chicago Cares is a good resource to help match volunteer opportunities to your specific interests.

Loneliness is not a diagnosable medical condition, but it can have a profound impact on overall well-being. So be sure to get your annual check-up, and talk to your doctor about how you feel –physically and mentally.

Brian Marsella is president of Cigna Midwest. Cigna® is a global health service company that helps people improve their health, well-being and peace of mind. It has more than 165 million customer and patient relationships worldwide.

1. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review, Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2015; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/25910392.

2. Cigna’s U.S. Loneliness Index, 2018; https:// www.multivu.com/players/English/8294451cigna-us-loneliness-survey/.

3. Testimony before the US Senate Aging Committee, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., 2017; https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ SCA_Holt_04_27_17.pdf.

4. Loneliness in the Workplace Can Be a High Cost For Employers, American Psychiatric Association (APA) Center for Workplace Mental Health, 2018; http://workplacementalhealth.org/ News-Events/Blog/January-2018/Lonelinessin-the-Workplace-Can-Be-a-High-Cost.

Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Behavioral Health, Inc., or their affiliates. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.

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