How U-Haul has the healthiest employees – and how you can implement their best strategies

Employee wellness is a top priority for many HR pros because it’s a key factor to retain and attract talent. Offering good pay won’t cut it anymore – 87% of employees consider health and wellness packages when choosing an employer, according to a study from Virgin Health Miles/Workforce Magazine.

So how do you make sure your employees are happy and healthy? Look to the DIY moving company U-Haul. The company is consistently ranked among the healthiest employees. U-Haul International recently ranked No. 1 on Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Healthiest Employers 2022 for extra-large companies. In 2020, it was named No. 15 on the 2020 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by Healthiest Employers.

So how does U-Haul do it? Here are three things that U-Haul does to keep employees healthy and happy – and how you can implement them into your own wellness program.

Mental health 

As wellness benefits expand and evolve, many companies are taking a more hands-on approach to mental health. In 2019, U-Haul launched the “You Matter” program, aimed at helping employees who are struggling with their mental health or otherwise need emotional support. 

The program, for full- and part-time team members and anyone in their household, gives them up to five counseling sessions per issue, per year, for an unlimited amount of life situations. The program also gives team members a concierge service that can help them find legal and financial support, as well as childcare support. 

How you can implement mental health benefits:

• Create an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Foster a safe environment at work for employees to talk about mental health struggles, and
• Go beyond counseling to offer support on other life stressors that may affect an employee’s mental health.

Physical health

In a push to create a healthier workforce, In August 2021, U-Haul unveiled the Shoen Center, a conference and fitness center, at their headquarters in Phoenix. 

The Shoen Center offers more than just a gym, though. It includes amenities such as a golf simulator, yoga and spin classrooms, a padded indoor track, a dental mobile office and a health clinic for primary care, acute care and physical therapy.

For workers who aren’t based in Phoenix, U-Haul’s “Healthier You” initiative expanded during COVID-19 to include gym membership reimbursements for physical gyms as well as fitness apps. 

U-Haul also includes a range of other physical health benefits including dietitian reimbursement, health fairs and farmers markets.

How to create a physically healthier workforce:

• Make wellness benefits inclusive to on-site and remote workers
• Ensure your wellness approach goes beyond just fitness to include things like physical therapy and nutrition, and
• Partner with a local clinic or health organization to make health care easy and accessible.

Illness management

Some of U-Haul’s most unique benefits are aimed at helping employees overcome pre-existing illnesses or unhealthy habits. 

In 2020, U-Haul announced its nicotine-free hiring policy, which is exactly what it sounds like – in states without smoker’s rights, U-Haul won’t hire an employee who uses nicotine. U-Haul also has nicotine cessation assistance as part of its “Healthier You” initiative. 

U-Haul also has a program that helps employees with diabetes management. Virta, a Type II diabetes reversal program, is offered to any employee on their health plan at no cost. 

How to support employees’ illness management:

• Provide assistance to help stop unhealthy habits, and
• Educate employees on options for prescription savings and other health benefits.