Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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JOURNAL & retain C recruit WITH CELADON CHAIRMAN AND CEO STEVE RUSSELL Celadon gets healthy Improving employee health good for company and drivers BY CAROLYN MAGNER MASON eladon's Highway 2 Health program began in 2006 as a partnership between Celadon and Community Health Network with the mission to encourage employees to take ownership of their health and well being. Since then, the program has expanded its services, and in April 2011, CEO Steve Russell opened a 4,000-square-foot medical center on the premises of Celadon's Indianapolis head- quarters. Employees have access to a board-certified family practice physician, nurse practitioners, nutrition- ist, certified athletic trainers, medical assistant, clinic manager, health coach, insurance pre- mium discounts, disease management, nurse hotline, physical therapy and laboratory services. Russell wants his employees to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and doesn't hesitate to participate in the wellness activities offered through the program. In fact, the CEO won his age group (over 70) in an area 5K in which 85 Celadon employees partici- pated. Russell says if he can do it, anyone can. How does this health program help you with recruiting? What the program tells a new recruit is that we care about the health and well being of our employees. Even younger drivers appreciate the services such as nutrition advice, nurse practi- tioner on call, onsite workout facility and other benefits. What about retention? Obviously we want to keep our professional driv- ers as healthy as possible. The aging population of drivers and their overall health issues makes this hugely important. The Highway 2 Health 28 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JUNE 2012 program sends the message that we offer the tools they need to lose weight and manage their health challenges. Wellness pro- grams such as flu shots, The average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years – 16 years lower than the national average. Source: CDC weight loss programs and fitness incentives increase job satisfaction and result in safer driving. Truck drivers have a lot of pres- sure to drive safely, and now we want them to lose weight and get fit? I get letters and comments every day from not only drivers but also their spouses who say they appreciate the access to health care they didn't have at other companies. Many have successfully lost weight and become more fit and healthier now than they have ever been in their lives. It's a great feeling to hear their stories. We still only provide the tools for their success – they have to do the hard work. What kinds of ailments do employees seek help for? Everything from bunions to bronchitis. Instead of expensive ER visits, they can practice preven- tive health maintenance. The Weight Watchers program is very popular, and the nutritionist will help devise truckstop-friendly diets. How much does all of this health care cost you? Our out-of-pocket healthcare costs have increased at a signifi- cantly lower rate when compared to the industry trend due to our continued efforts to supply healthcare alternatives and free onsite medical services. 32 times around a truck equals 1 mile. LOCATION: INDIANAPOLIS TOTAL REVENUE: $557 MILLION IN 2011 NUMBER OF DRIVERS: 2,700 EMPLOYEES: 4,000 Celadon CEO Steve Russell won his age group (over 70) in an Indianapolis area 5K in which 85 company employees participated. Celadon surveyed its drivers before imple- menting the Highway 2 Health program: 62% responded that they needed health care in the past but did not seek it because they were working. 68% did not know where to find a pro- vider. 54% did not seek health care when needed because they were over-the-road drivers. 30% had no provider or source of health care – the reason they used ERs.