Paul E. Kandarian

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Lincoln-based Amica Mutual Insurance Co. walks the healthy walk – quite literally. It’s not uncommon, particularly on sunny days, to see hordes of Amica employees walking around the office park where the insurer’s headquarters is located, in an effort to get and stay fit.

And that’s not all the company offers, said Jean Tapley, wellness coordinator. She points to a range of programs, including weight management and tobacco-cessation efforts. The company’s most recent health-assessment survey showed a decrease in workers in the obese-weight range and a drop in tobacco use – from 17 percent to 6 percent – since 2008.

Hundreds of workers use the onsite fitness center, she said, and those who prefer to work out away from work are reimbursed for costs for doing so.

“As far as numbers go, most participation is in the onsite fitness center and the offsite reimbursement,” she said.

Other offerings include a Weight Watchers at Work program; employee/spouse access to a wellness Web portal that incorporates online workshops; a health library, and exercise and nutrition logs; a wellness newsletter; onsite blood-pressure screenings and chair massage therapy; healthy food choices in the vending machines; and at its Lincoln headquarters, the company subsidizes the price of healthy cafeteria food-service meals.

“We understand that healthiness is a key component in employee satisfaction, productivity, attendance and reduced health care costs,” said Tapley.

And they’re working, she added. •