Great Lakes Roofing: Enhancing Employee Well-Being through Nature

In today’s work environment, where stress and burnout are common, a top priority for businesses must be prioritizing the well-being of their employees. Offering benefits that promote employee well-being can be a game-changer for a business’s employment strategy, helping retain and recruit. Increased physical health directly correlates to improved workplace production and efficiency as well. Launching a company-wide wellness program may seem like a daunting task. Still, one Wisconsin small business is leading the charge for change with a simple, yet effective program based on the State’s beloved state parks and natural resources.

The Benefits of Spending Time in Nature for Employee Well-Being

It’s true that no two employee wellness programs look the same. Some focus on perks provided through their health insurance provider; others look to healthy breakroom snacks, in-office flu shots, gym membership reimbursements, or mental health counseling. Many of these programs require employees to jump through invisible hoops or are not available to all household members, leading to lack of employee participation and wasted company resources.  

Great Lakes Roofing Corporation (GLRC) President, Chris Lampien, noted the number of outdoor enthusiasts on staff and decided to kick off 2023 with a gift that he knew all his employees would appreciate and utilize; a Wisconsin state Park Pass. Research consistently shows that spending time in nature significantly benefits mental and physical health, which makes time in the Wisconsin State Parks well spent. The serene environment and fresh air offer a much-needed break from the daily grind. “This is a wellness benefit the entire family can enjoy, which also promotes work-life balance within our company. We encourage everyone to go out and enjoy the State Parks as often as they can,” said Lampien.

To kick off their incentive and show appreciation to their hardworking staff, GLRC executives decided to capture the essence of the great outdoors by making a heartfelt video while immersed in nature. In the video, Lampien and his family enthusiastically announced that GLRC would be gifting each employee a Wisconsin State Park Pass through the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP), a non-profit organization of volunteers who care for the state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. 

Encouraging the GLRC team to explore and enjoy the state parks emphasizes the importance of work-life balance. Spending time in nature can positively impact the overall well-being of the staff. This thoughtful act enhances employee morale and engagement and reinforces a strong sense of appreciation and unity within the company.

The Resources Offered by State Park Websites

State Park websites offer many resources for individuals seeking outdoor adventures. These websites often provide printable and downloadable activities, maps, and lists that can significantly enhance the experience. Whether exploring hiking trails, spotting wildlife, or discovering hidden gems within the park, these resources prove invaluable. With the convenience of having these materials accessible online, visitors can easily plan and customize their outdoor activities, ensuring a fun and engaging adventure in nature.

To layer in additional activities and promote new adventures, the FWSP promotes seasonal challenges each year involving outdoor activities like documenting plants and animals, camping, biking, photography, and more. “These challenges have been an amazing way to encourage our staff to opt outdoors more and think of new ways to get active,” said Kris Moran, marketing director at GLRC.

State Park Passes and Work-Life Balance

State Park Passes also foster team building within the organization. When employees venture out into nature together, they can bond, share experiences, and create lasting memories. Moran said, “We’ve encouraged the team to share pictures and to post them in their crew rooms and to come in and tell us their stories. We’re also very competitive at work and have had fun reporting on everyone’s progress in the FWSP challenges and seeing if we can have a member of GLRC visit each of the state parks and capture a picture as a “we were there” checklist.” Team-building activities in natural settings can enhance collaboration, communication, and trust among team members. By exploring Wisconsin’s beautiful state Parks, Great Lakes Roofing Corporation’s employees strengthened their connections, built camaraderie, and cultivated a supportive and collaborative work culture.