In 2012, NCI Building Systems launched their wellness program, Vitality 24/7, to encourage employees to make simple, positive changes in their lifestyles. This program has since encouraged employees all over the United States and Canada to take a hard look at their health and, where necessary, use the tools provided to them by NCI to incorporate healthy changes in their day-to-day lives. As a baseline, the program includes biometric health screenings and group results sessions to discuss ways to improve health and monitor important risk markers, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and weight.
NCI caught the attention of its competitive employees with its first-ever eight week “Lite N’ Up” weight loss challenge. More than 350 people participated and together lost a total of 2,624 pounds. In addition to the weight loss challenges, each location is implementing different programs to incorporate wellness into their office culture including healthy lunches, walking events and wellness workshops. Another way leadership is encouraging wellness is by participating in community events that promote a healthy lifestyle. For example, in late 2012, NCI was the platform sponsor of the Northwest Harris County Heart Walk, helping bring in more than $285,000 for the American Heart Association.
Recently, NCI Building Systems was recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s healthiest employers. Leadership attended the second annual Healthiest Employers Awards at the Hilton Post Oak on March 26 to receive the award.
Winning this accolade has only encouraged NCI to build on the momentum and to reach even more people next year. They are already researching the aggregate results from this year’s health screenings to determine which health conditions will require additional focus in the coming year. The company’s wellness-specific goals for next year are to increase participation in the Vitality 24/7 program and to, in turn, help reduce the incidence of obesity, high blood pressure and cardio-metabolic disease within the population.