- What is WellNS?
- Why does the company want me to change my personal lifestyle?
- What will happen to the information I submit to WellNS?
- Is there a cost for WellNS?
- Where do I find out about WellNS?
- What is health coaching?
- Will my lack of participation change my health benefits?
- What happens if I do not participate?
- Do I need to check with my physician before I participate in WellNS?
- Who runs the programs in WellNS?
- Can I help promote WellNS as a volunteer?
- I have a suggestion to get more employees engaged and participating in WellNS, who do I contact?
- Why don't we negotiate a national discount with the YMCA?
WellNS is a strategic initiative providing resources and information designed to help employees make healthy lifestyle choices to maintain good health or improve poor health.
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Why does the company want me to change my personal lifestyle?
NS’s greatest resources are the employees that run the company everyday. A healthy NS employee is safer, more productive and happier. So, improving the health of our employees is good business and the right thing to do. We want all employees to consider making changes that will improve your health for both you and your family.
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What will happen to the information I submit to WellNS?
We have obtained the services of some of the highest quality providers of wellness services for NS employees. These providers of wellness services understand that the protection of your private information is the key to trust and participation in WellNS programs. Your responses to all questions and notes from your conversations with any of the health coaches or your participation in a personal health assessment are protected and private. The information is maintained by these wellness organizations and will not be released to anyone without your prior authorization. The only information provided back to NS is group participation data. If we need individual employee data for any reason in the future, your authorization will be required before we can have access to your individual information.
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The budget and related expenses for WellNS programs and services are managed by Human Resources. Although some programs are discounted and may require an employee to provide a payment for services, the majority of programs and services are provided to you without any charge as an employee of NS.
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Where do I find out about WellNS?
We have published a brochure that describes the WellNS programs and services. This information and a comprehensive list of WellNS resources are available online through the WellNS website.
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Health coaching is a WellNS program that provides a trained and certified health educator to you at no cost. This trained professional can help you identify specific health issues and work with you to develop your personal plan to change key lifestyle habits and become healthier.
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Will my lack of participation change my health benefits?
Participation in WellNS is totally voluntary. Your employment and health benefits are not affected by your participation or lack of participation in WellNS. We want you to select an area that you want to change, and enroll when you are motivated. These programs and services are an additional benefit as an NS employee.
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What happens if I do not participate?
WellNS is totally voluntary. If you choose not to participate, there are no consequences of any kind.
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Do I need to check with my physician before I participate in WellNS?
WellNS programs are educational and provide resources for you to make healthy choices in your life. Any lifestyle change must take into account your personal situation and health. As part of your normal self-care, please talk to your physician or medical provider and make sure that they know what actions you are considering in your life. All of our information has been verified by health professionals, but you should always talk to your physician before you make changes in your lifestyle, even when these are a great choice to improve your health.
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Who runs the programs in WellNS?
WellNS programs are coordinated by Human Resources. We use several suppliers of wellness programs and services to provide a full menu of choices for employees. These companies have signed privacy protection and confidentiality agreements with NS to protect your personal information.
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Can I help promote WellNS as a volunteer?
We welcome employees to join the WellNS movement and become a volunteer. The easiest way to volunteer is to go on-line and send us an email. You can fill a form out on the WellNS website under the Become a WellNS Champion section.
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I have a friend who is a wellness instructor, who should she contact to become a vendor?
We are looking for interested partners to provide WellNS programs and services. Human Resources does not directly contract with individuals for services. We will continue to partner with our current wellness providers. Send us an email, and we can forward any potential wellness provider to one of our WellNS partners for follow-up.
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I have a suggestion to get more employees engaged and participating in WellNS, who do I contact?
We are always looking for new ways to get more employees engaged in WellNS programs. Contact us at WellNS@nscorp.com.
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Why don't we negotiate a national discount with the YMCA?
Although YMCAs are located across the country, they are a locally run, nonprofit organization. Each community has its own business model that dictates pricing and corporate discounts. Some communities offer corporate discounts, some offer discounts with an annual corporate gift and others do not offer corporate discounts at all but instead discount rates based on an individual's need.
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