Creating a Work Environment where Taking Care of Yourself is Encouraged

By Jim DeVries
Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer, Allstate Insurance Company

At Allstate, we believe that by supporting employees in improving their overall well-being we help them not only lead more fulfilling lives but we create a more productive organization. Our well-being program focuses on supporting employees in their journey to become physically energized, financially strong, mentally focused and emotionally connected.

Last year we increased our efforts on well-being initiatives. We revamped our cafeterias to offer more nutritious meals and subsidized healthy choices. We also launched a well-being portal, which serves as a gateway to dozens of tools, resources and programs. To help employees achieve balance in their lives, we designed and implemented “Energy for Life,” a 1½-day workshop offered during the paid workday to employees of all levels. Based on an energy management course from the Human Performance Institute, it teaches employees the principles used by elite athletes to achieve peak performance at work and home.

We also launched “Destination: You,” an activity tracking program that provides participating employees with an accelerometer that automatically uploads to a device at the workplace to enable them to calculate their daily steps and to participate in challenges. More than a third of our employees are participants.

To bring wellness closer to employees, this year we opened an on-site health clinic and pharmacy at our company headquarters. We also provide financial incentives for employees and their spouses/domestic partners to participate in free well-being assessments, on-site biometric screenings and lifestyle coaching.

In a 2011 employee survey, 91 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, “At work, I’m encouraged to pursue healthy habits that will improve my overall well-being.” We’re creating a work environment where taking care of yourself is encouraged and applauded, where we not only give employees time to participate in our well-being programs, but also make it simple and convenient to do so.