To foster a healthy and productive workforce, our integrated health management strategy focuses on keeping people well and mitigating health risks for those with existing or potential problems. Our core value of corporate social responsibility and our strategic business concepts of enhancing communication and building partnerships are also the mainstays of our health management approach.
Based on local regulatory and market norms, Cisco provides direct access to, or facilitates access to, core benefits, including:
- Healthcare
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term savings
- Travel and emergency assistance
- Employee assistance programs
The HealthConnections program combines our traditional health benefits with access to health enhancement tools. This program provides an integrated network of healthcare providers, condition management, health coaching, disability management, workplace resources, food services, fitness centers, and other resources. Employees’ identities are kept secure and Cisco does not have access to any medical information. All information is sent to a third-party vendor to ensure confidentiality.
Worldwide Wellness Programs
Cisco understands the need to adapt wellness programs to the different countries, cultures, and economies in which we operate. In China and Hong Kong, for instance, where influenza is prevalent, annual flu shots are included in the medical plan. Employees in India may extend health coverage to their parents or parents-in-law in addition to their spouse and children. In Canada and many other countries, gym and fitness membership reimbursements promote physical fitness. And in the United Kingdom, Cisco conducts ongoing lunchtime workshops devoted to stress management, health and nutrition, and smoking cessation.
In addition, Cisco’s worldwide workforce has access to employee assistance programs that provide confidential support for issues that include family problems, work related stress, interpersonal conflict, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, alcohol and other drug use, and emotional stress or trauma.
Expanding the HealthConnections Program
In FY08 HealthConnections partnered with global sites to explore strategies for further expanding our health initiatives. Highlights of some initiatives that have been implemented by our global partners include:
- Worldwide: HealthConnections hosted Global Migraine web seminars for Cisco employees in Australia/New Zealand, Europe, India, and the United States/Canada.
- In Australia: Cisco Australia launched a HealthConnections portal customized with health information of interest to Cisco employees in Australia and New Zealand. The site features health resources, tools, event information, and links to videos of Health and Wellness Shows.
- In China: In FY09 Cisco China will adopt a smoke-free work environment across all Cisco locations. “No smoking” signs with facts about the adverse health effects of smoking will be posted in Cisco buildings.
- In Germany: In August 2008 Cisco Germany hosted a Health Week focusing on stress prevention and stress management. In FY09 Cisco Germany also will launch a HealthConnections portal featuring health information, resources, and health event listings.
- In India: Cisco India opened an onsite health clinic in Bangalore that provides basic services such as medical consultations, immunizations, first-aid, and preventive care. In FY09 an onsite childcare facility will also open at this location.
- In the United States: The U.S. HealthConnections portal features at least one global health resource each month that aligns with the designated health topic of the month.
Health Risk Assessment and Coaching
Cisco’s HealthConnections and Matria Healthcare have collaborated in a program that helps employees assess their health risks and delivers personalized interventions to reduce those risks. After a health assessment, employees can confer with a healthcare coach and get access to tailored behavior-change programs designed to address their risk factors.
Here is a testimonial from a 45-year-old female Cisco employee who works remotely:
“To be very honest, I got involved in HealthConnections because of the $100 incentive that Cisco provides to participants. Then I got the results back and Matria did a great job of reaching out to me. I knew I needed to lose weight and figured the more support I received, the better it would be. I really wasn’t expecting anything out of the program. But I can now say having someone call you, motivate you, and give you ideas and offer ways to approach the problem differently made a tremendous difference.
“ So far, I have lost 27 pounds toward my goal of 40 pounds, lowered my body mass index, and dropped two dress sizes. When you are overweight, you usually think of exercising as a chore. Now it’s not a chore because I have so much more energy. But, more importantly, I’ve really changed the way I look at foods and the kinds of foods I eat. I travel 7 to 14 days per month, so finding a dietary plan and workout schedules that I can use when traveling is really important to me. My coach was terrific in providing me with ideas and suggestions.”
