Nov. 15, 2010

Crain's Chicago Business

One Firm's Wellness Plan Boosts Employee Retention, Morale 

One obstacle confronting executives thinking about investing in wellness programs is the suspicion that today’s highly mobile employees won’t be around in five years when the investment begins to pay off. That’s not such a concern at Elkay Manufacturing Co., which has hundreds of workers with more than a quarter-century on the job.

The family-owned company makes kitchen plumbing and cabinetry and offers employees and their family members $250 each toward any wellness treatment. The money might be spent on a school physical for a child or a mammography screening for a spouse. Spouses also are invited to participate in biometric screenings at Elkay facilities each year.  

Elkay employs Chicago-based ComPsych Corp. to provide phone- and Web-based counseling on a variety of topics. Can’t pay your bills? ComPsych will help with financial counseling. Furnace gone out? ComPsych will come up with a short list of accredited repair firms in your neighborhood.  “We define wellness as not just physical health, but legal and financial health, too,” says Carol Partington, corporate manager of compensation and benefits.