Times Supermarket

As part of the concept that good management includes supporting the overall health of employees, Times Supermarket has offered its employees an abundance of wellness programs for more than a decade. These efforts are paying off in terms of employee relations, and the company has seen lower health insurance costs, improved productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Times has launched three efforts to help employees quit smoking –each of them more aggressive and finely-tuned than the one before. Though just three people managed to quit smoking out of the group of 14 who tried, Times is not discouraged, especially since additional employees have begun working individually with the company’s benefits coordinator.

The company’s first effort to help employees quit included paying for anti-smoking medications, holding free classes, and launching a support group. Paying for anti-smoking medication was an important step for success, but the classes and large support group didn’t prove to be the best choice for employees who work closely together.

Since then, the company has tried a more individualized approach to support, including options of private, telephone or group counseling – depending on an employee’s choice. Times discovered persistence on everyone’s part is important. Giving up tobacco requires motivation by an individual, and the right timing. As a result, Times will continue its efforts, including ongoing information in the employee newsletter, and paying for any legitimate support program an employee chooses.