Hardwood Floors August/September 2017

Consider wellness programs. » » There are too many types of programs to mention here. Some plans require ongoing participation, and some simply require you to show up once, like a health screening. Still others reward you for making changes like losing weight.

» » NWFA University, which includes an online learning platform, offers classes on safety. » » Ask your benefits consultant if any of these strategies may help your insurance underwriting and save you money.

• Worst case scenario is more loyalty and engagement from your staff. Best case is that and reduced costs of your health or disability insurance.

FINAL THOUGHTS The aspects of health and insurance are complicated. We aren’t solving the world’s problems here, but the bottom line is that if you focus on your people, you will create lasting relationships that lead to better employee engagement. The wood flooring industry is really about relationships, isn’t it? I see it personally every year at the NWFAWood Flooring Expo. Thousands of our members come together, and you can see the energy of everyone engaged in conversation. These relationships are strong and span years. Let’s use some of those skills and apply it to our own employees. Talk to them, understand them, be genuinely engaged in their lives in general or through wellness programs and ultimately their wellness will improve, and it might just save you a few dollars along the way. Bree Urech-Boyle is Chief Financial Officer at the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. She can be reached at bree.urech-boyle@nwfa.org.

» » Want a way to reach the younger generations? Survey them on how you can help them with their wellness. You certainly can’t implement all of their suggestions, but you will find some simple ones and it shows you care. Giving input often is something younger generations have shown to value. » » Beyond searching on the internet for programs, I bring you back to the benefits consultant. They can help suggest wellness programs that fit your organization, your budget, and may save you money. Look into the safety you provide your employees. » » Do you provide all the proper safety equipment for chemical inhalation, noise control, and body protection?

NORTON ad

Floor Color and Clear Bonding Coat

PUT A LITTLE COLOR IN YOUR HARDWOOD FLOOR... WITHOUT SANDING! Norton|Vermont Natural Coatings EasyWhey is a revolutionary new product that allows you to easily restore or change the color of pre-finished flooring without sanding. EasyWhey is easy to apply, has no odor, dries quickly and multiple coats can be applied to build color without streaking or masking the grain of the wood. EasyWhey bonds to the existing floor surface allowing it to be top-coated with all Norton|Vermont Natural Coatings Professional Wood Floor Finishes providing a fast, easy and effective solution for recoating pre-finished floors.

CHERRY

EBONY

GRAY

OAK

WALNUT

WHITE WASH

www. nortonabrasives.com

© Saint‑Gobain July 2017.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

27