Vail Vitality Center is an all encompassing health and wellness facility that provides comprehensive wellness services. They also care about the health and well-being of their employees by providing free access to programming and discounts on other integrative wellness services. They value health and safety for all of their employees. 

Health Links (HL): Why is the health and wellness of your employees important to you?

Vail Vitality Center (VVC): It is important that our employees are happy and healthy and are provided with an environment that allows them to find balance in their lives.  We are providing health and wellness services to our clients and we want to offer the same amenities to our employees.

HL: Please describe your business’ workplace wellness activities/program.

VVC: All employees have access to fitness classes and facility amenities.  The restaurant in the building serves healthy food for the employees as well as educational lunches focused on nutrition.  Employees receive discounts for onsite integrative medical services and health insurance is offered to full time, 32 ½ hr per week, employees.  Safety is first and foremost with all employees attending an orientation on the use of club equipment.

HL: How will you/do you know your program is successful?

VVC: We knew our program was successful when wellness became part of the culture.  This was evidenced by open communication among staff, an emphasis on safety, a positive atmosphere and continuous employee feedback.  We began to see increased longevity of employment and job satisfaction with employees.

HL: What obstacles did you have to overcome to get your program started?  How did you overcome them?

VVC: When our program started we had inconsistent communication among team members, equipment that didn’t support our goals, a lack of employee engagement and appreciation.  We overcame these challenges by developing employee feedback systems where employees could share their concerns and ideas at meetings and also with upper level management.  Communication and teambuilding was instrumental in overcoming obstacles.

HL: What tip/advice would you give to a business that is considering starting a workplace wellness program?

VVC: You can’t put a value on employee wellness programs.  In terms of how it influences the culture and employee satisfaction, it’s priceless.