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V O L . X X I I N O. X I H E A LT H Y B U S I N E S S 14 for a healthy work/life balance — initia- tives such as fl ex scheduling, education opportunities, and employee assistance that help reduce stress, thus enhancing overall health and well-being. Dubay says the concept has lately evolved into fi nancial wellness. "We know fi nancial worries and stress are a huge component employees deal with," she says. "Years ago, when we were asked to do stress management, a company typically was looking for someone to come in to do a chair mas- sage once a month, or something like that. Now they're realizing that, unless they help employees manage where the stress is coming from, a chair massage is a temporary fi x. We help employers look at what is causing stress. Are there job shifts or layoff s? Have jobs changed and employees aren't sure what they're supposed to be doing? Something as simple as reviewing a new job descrip- tion alleviates a lot of stress." Because of the range of company sizes and types, and the disparate nature of needs and goals, Dubay declined to cite average or range of costs for imple- menting a wellness program. However, she says, costs are often minimal. For example, as a consultant, Dubay reviews programs already in place, but perhaps underutilized. In one case, " is group had a wonderful employee assistance program no one knew about. If your washing machine died, they'd get repair quotes for you, so you're not stressing about not having a washer. If you had an elderly parent who needed a ride to an appointment, they'd arrange it. It was an extensive program and the company was already paying for it — but nobody knew about it. So a big part of what I do is try not to have a company incur more costs. We look at what you're already paying for, and you build from that. It fl ows into a template that looks at goals and measures outcomes." Ultimately, she says, " e goal is to help employers have employees at their best." L S , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n B a s s H a r b o r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . 207.729.7600 | www.bekinc.net Wouldn't it be great if your technology actually worked when you needed it to? With BEK Inc.'s Certified Professionals and With BEK Inc.'s Certified Professionals and TechSentinel Managed Services — TechSentinel Managed Services — it can. Your Custom IT Resource Your Custom IT Resource 9 Industrial Parkway #1, Brunswick 9 Industrial Parkway #1, Brunswick 2331 Congress Street Portland, ME 04102 207-828-8905 | 877-816-3411 116 Community Drive Augusta, ME 04330 207-828-8905 | 800-244-7717 www.crossagency.com At Cross Employee Benefits, Where Security Meets Strength Cross is proud to announce the launch of our own private exchange. Individuals now have the option to shop for benefits online! www.crossagency.com/employee-benefits we recognize the insurance industry is changing, and changing fast. We provide solutions that allow us to deliver our services in the most efficient and easiest way possible, all while maintaining the customer relations and support model that has built our business. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company Years ago, a company typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking typically was looking for someone to come in and do a chair massage once a month. — Roxane Dubay Wellness Council of Maine P H O T O / JA S O N P. S M I T H Roxane Dubay, executive director of the Wellness Council of Maine, says companies are doing more to address issues that affect employees outside of the workplace.

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