Now that the traditional holiday feasts have passed, many employees are returning to work with thoughts of how they can shed those extra pounds. Helping them along

that path will not only show your employees that you care, but can positively affect your bottom line.

A study conducted in 2000 showed that 25 percent of total group health expenditures were due to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, obesity and alcohol abuse. Since then, the cost of healthcare has steadily increased at a rate far greater than inflation and the rates of preventable chronic disease have continued to rise.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, fitness programs can reduce the cost of employer-provided healthcare 20 to 55 percent.

Here are a few ways you can help improve your employees’ health:

Fitness ProgramsThe American Heart Association offers resources through its wellness in the workplace initiative, including manuals, presentations and tracking tools. If you want to start smaller, hand out pedometers to each of your employees and offer rewards for those who log the most miles.

Smoking CessationMany companies have designated their offices as smoke-free zones, but there’s more you can do to help your employees stop smoking. Endsmoking.org offers assistance to employers looking to implement such programs.

Healthy EatingImproving nutrition in the workplace can help employees stick to their diets. Make sure your vending machines have healthy options, and limit sugary or fattening treats brought in for office parties or as rewards. You might even offer free water and healthy snacks, while charging for junk food and sodas in the vending machine.

Get InvolvedResearch online social networks, such as myfitnesspal.com or shapeup.com. These sites allow your employees to track progress and support each other even when they are not in the office. Provide rewards and incentives for employees who meet their goals.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

January 2013

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63 No. 1

Help Your Employees Keep Their New Years’ Health ResolutionsTips to keep your employees healthy

Check centraltx.bbb.org/bbb-news for the latest on news, tips and alerts

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AUSTIN24/7 Supply & Rental Co24th Street Dental CareA & Tip Air Conditioning LLCA&E Mobile Home MovingAdvanced Organic MaterialsAerobic Waste Water CompanyAgency Security, Inc.Alex Chavez RoofingAll American Coatings & RemodelingAll Makes CollisionAll Points Garage DoorsAlter Endeavors LLCAmerica First Public AdjustersApache Hauling LLCAvery Ranch ChiropracticBarker Roofing and Stucco, Inc.Bayern Pest ControlBig Jon Plumbing Service IncBird ElectricBlue Flame StudiosBright Spot PaintingCHR Machine & Manufacturing, Inc.City Carpet CleanersColonial SavingsCTX Services Construction &

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LLPLocal Magnet Legal Advertising LLCLTX Trucking

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LLCDent Dawg

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TexasWhiteStone Wealth Management

ServicesZ/R Services, LLC

Whether you are a major corporation or a small business owner, you probably couldn’t function without your employees. So, when your employees come to

you with a complaint, you want to address the issue as efficiently as possible without losing sight of your company’s goals.

To help you avoid an unnecessary conflict in your company, BBB offers these tips for handling employee complaints:

Listen Carefully. If an employee is angry or upset, allow him or her to vent without interrupting. Stopping the employee mid-story to offer a solution or contradict facts will likely only escalate the situation. Limit your responses to short confirmations that show you’re still listening (“Uh-huh,” “I understand”) or verifications of the facts (“So, you put in a time off request on Monday?”).

Withhold Judgment. Avoid confrontational language, like “Calm down,” or “that’s not possible.” Hear the entire complaint and, when necessary, conduct your own investigation before deciding what action to take.

Document the Meeting. If possible, have another supervisor or human resources representative present. Take notes about the employee’s complaint and what solutions you offered. Confirm the details with the employee to ensure you are both on the same page.

Ask Questions. Ask for specific dates, whether or not the employee has complained to others in the chain of command and for details about those conversations. Make sure you know all the details.

Identify the Issue. Not all complaints should be taken at face value. The employee may complain about his hours, but is really upset that he isn’t being heard. If the underlying issue involves discrimination or harassment, that opens you up to additional legal concerns. You may want to consult an attorney about your next course of action.

Collaborate on a Solution. Ask the employee how he or she would like to resolve the issue. If you are unwilling to meet those conditions, don’t say “no,” or “I can’t.” Propose your own solution and stick to positive language, e.g. “Here’s what I can do…”

Stay Out of Harm’s Way. If the employee gets confrontational or makes threats, walk away, leave the room, have the employee escorted out or call the police. Document the threat and your reaction to it.

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Keep Your Employees Smiling This New Year

Tips for responding to employee complaints

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BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | January 2013

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Help Your Employees Keep Their New Years’ Health Resolutions............................................................................................. New Accredited Businesses..…….……...........................................

Keep Your Employees Smiling This New Year........................

November Activity Report....................…............................................

In November 2012, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 11,650Provided customers with 172,920 BBB Business Reviews Handled 1,694 disputesAssisted 4,824 people over the phoneHosted 377,662 website page views Sent 1,034 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

Revocations

Cowboy’s Air Conditioning & Heating: Unresolved complaint(s).

Edge Pest Control: Engaging in activities reflecting poorly on BBB or its members and failure to be free from an unsatisfactory rating.

Land Alterations: Failure to maintain required licensing and failure to respond to BBB requests for further information to evaluate compliance with BBB Standards.

In November 2012, your BBB was mentioned 411 times by 62 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

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