Employee productivity has never been more important than it is now for restaurant operators squeezed by high food and labor costs and tight credit. Besides proper training and efficient scheduling, another way to increase employee productivity is to help workers become or stay healthy, says fitness expert Ilene Gershberg, founder of Ilene on Health LLC in Palm Harbor, Fla. She consults with corporate executives, making a case for businesses’ roles in helping maintain workers’ healthy lifestyles. Gershberg spent 16 years in a fast-paced, stressful career in corporate radio and television. Concerned about her own health,she changed careers,lost weight and started exercising.She earned a certificate in sports medicine at age 54 and has completed four marathons, including the Chicago Full Marathon. Gershberg advises executives and managers in multiple industries, including foodservice, who wish to stay fit and inspire employees to pursue health and fitness despite their busy schedules.
What’s the benefit of having healthy employees?
It affects their overall performance.The National Committee of Quality Assurance found that workers who are healthy and feel good about themselves are less likely to miss work. Absenteeism costs money. Healthy and happy employees are much more productive,engaged and provide better service.They have a better self-esteem. People who are physically engaged are clearly more capable of handling emotional stress and day-to-day issues. Lots of other HR costs are minimized when you have healthy teams.And there is the direct health care cost. There is a huge difference between [coverage for] people who are high-risk and low-risk. It can save thousands [of dollars].
What can restaurant managers do to encourage their employees to pursue fitness?
They can share their own goals and encourage workers to do the same. Have weight loss contests. Have fun with the team. Do incentives and prizes. Get them involved in activities that benefit the community—a 6K breast cancer walk, the Race for the Cure, or a walk for the Leukemia Foundation.
Running restaurants can be demanding, and overseeing several restaurants can require a lot of travel. How can managers and executives stay fit?
The strategy we use in business to be successful is the same with being healthy: desire. Can you really become successful in business without a burning desire to get there? If you do not really want it, you won’t ever get healthy. It has to be a priority. The pain of staying the same has to be worse than the pain of changing for people to take action.