Objective

A law firm with 350 employees had been experiencing a high turnover rate. To help diminish the high turnover, the law firm needed a recognition program to help improve morale and retain their current employees. A majority of the employees held office positions and worked on computers and phones throughout the day.

Strategy

The law firm established a health incentive recognition program that was initiated by management. The health incentive recognition program was intended to help participants to lose weight, decrease absenteeism, increase fitness levels, and quit smoking. The program was designed with the hope that the caring attitude expressed by management would reflect to all levels of the company.

Management adopted the tagline, “It’s time…” in order to show appreciation for each employee, and to increase the level of health within the employee population.

Each employee designed his or her own fitness program, involving exercise with set goals. Employees monitored their progress on a quarterly basis. As an added incentive, employees were provided with discounts to athletic clubs as well as information about weight loss programs.

Employees were so enthused by the program that they developed a corporate walking club. The walking club became the most popular program in the law firm. Departments formed teams and kept track of their steps each day. The team with the most steps at the end of each quarter was eligible for a reward.

As the employees reached each successive level of achievement, they were rewarded with an imprinted reward that was symbolic of time. The following awards were presented for each level of achievement:

• First Level Achievement: Clipped Cube, item #6850.
• Second Level Achievement: Global Pen Set, item #3620
• Third Level Achievement: Moments Beveled Clock, item # 7051
• Fourth Level Achievement: Wedgewood Award, item #6040

Clipped Cube
Item #6850

Global Pen Set
Item #3620

Moments Beveled Clock
Item #7051

Wedgewood Award
Item #6040

Results

With the “It’s time…” program, several employees had great successful with the health incentive recognition program. The walking club continued to grow, others quit smoking and several lost weight, all contributing to an increase in employee morale. While creating a healthier workforce, the law firm also accomplished its overall goal of decreasing employee turnover.