Employee Health & Wellness: Central One Federal Credit Union, Shrewsbury

Leaders of Shrewsbury-based Central One Federal Credit Union believe that if their employees know they're valued, it will show in their work. And to show they care, the 60-year-old financial institution offers employees opportunities to focus on their wellbeing and improve it.

“I think what we try to do here is sort of keep wellness as a topic of conversation for the employees,” said President and CEO David L'Ecuyer. “We just keep putting it out there so that they understand that being healthy is good for them and their families and the workplace.”

To that end, Wendy Morin, vice president of human resources and administration, said they've offered yoga and CPR classes for Central One's nearly 100 employees. Employees have also participated in weight-loss competitions and “Move It,” a walking competition in which employees are given pedometers and are offered “small financial incentives” and gift cards to athletic retailers, for example.

“We try to make sure that there are programs taking place periodically that keeps their health as a priority in their lives,” Morin said.

Although most programs are offered periodically, employees can count on one notable benefit at the annual employee appreciation week.

“One thing that our employees really love every year is their massages,” Morin said, adding foot reflexology is also popular.

In addition to physical programs employees can take part in, they're also given information to help them make healthy decisions. Morin said representatives from local fitness centers have come into branches to provide “lunch and learns,” and the credit union sends out weekly email newsletters that include wellness tips.

Not only is physical well-being actively encouraged at Central One, so is mental health.

Morin said the credit union's main branch has a quiet room with a couch “for employees that need to take a break and get away for a minute.”

It also continues to offer a fully paid employee assistance program (EAP), which is a resource for employees who might be having difficulties in their personal lives. They can access information and are eligible for up to six visits per year with a mental health provider, at no cost.

“You don't always know as an employer what is impacting the lives of your employees and sometimes employees don't know where to turn,” L'Ecuyer said. “So it's nice to employ this service.”

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