I admit while on my holidays in the Cook Islands recently I indulged in a few too many carbohydrates such as the lovely fresh inexpensive baguettes that were available daily. Unfortunately, as anywhere in the world, the North American diet of pop and french fries is easy to get in the Cooks and the rate of obesity appears to be similar to the one here in Canada. Upon my return it takes some conscious effort to decrease the carbohydrate intake and then wait for the pounds to come off. Wouldn’t it be great if pop, french fries and chocolate were not sold in any schools or corporations across the country? Sure folks can get them outside of these locations but the overall consumption would no doubt decrease. Husky Injection Molding Systems is such a company.

One of the many benefits of traveling by air is that there always seems to be lots of time to read newspapers. One of my favorite national newspapers is the Globe and Mail and in the Jan 17^th 2005 edition Husky Injection Molding Systems was quoted as being one of the top 55 companies in Canada to work for. Now why would I be so interested in this to bring it to your attention? First of all the CEO is the father to a naturopathic physician who has been practicing for over 20 years in Ontario and who is very supportive of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Physicians in Toronto. In fact the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic at the College is named after him. Secondly they have a wonderful employee benefit program.

I spoke to Mr.Tony Maraschiello, Media Relations Specialist, at Husky to find our more. Husky offers their employees many benefits including health and fitness services. The food sold on the premises contains no soft drinks, chocolate or fast foods such as french fries. In fact at their Luxembourg branch workers almost revolted when they learned the cafeteria wouldn’t serve french fries! In Bolton, Ontario, at the head office, salmon, butternut squash soup, vegetable fajitas, abundant salads and fruit bars are typically found on the menu in the cafeteria.

Husky boasts absenteeism averages of four days per year compared with the industry standard of seven days and average drugs costs of $255.00 per person rather than the industry average of over $500.00. Injury claims are also low at 1.2 per 200,000 hours worked versus the industry average of 5.8 (according to 2001 statistics). There is a fitness centre and naturopathic physician on site, prevention programs including a smoking cessation program as well as they encourage employees to cycle or walk to work which earns them shares in the company! In 1998 the company spent 4.2 million on the above benefits and programs including its award winning daycare and they saved 9 million from recycling, energy reduction, low injuries, low absenteeism and insurance claims.

If you work for a large organization or company imagine receiving such benefits. Naturopathic physicians encourage their patients to request of their employers to improve naturopathic coverage provided by extended medical plans. Using these statistics from Husky you can show your employer that it will save them money in the long run to promote health and fitness in anyway they can.