Businesses across the state are telling employees to lace up their tennis shoes and take a walk.
More than 30,000 Nebraskans are stepping out of their offices and taking a walk for National Walk at Lunch Day.
Chief Industries CEO and President DJ Eihusen says it's an opportunity to allow employees to take a few minutes, stop what they're doing and focus on healthy lifestyles.
Eihusen says for some employees, it could be just the push they need.
"Everyone gets busy with their jobs and they forget to take care of themselves sometimes," Human Resources Director Mark Moravec says. "It's a day that we set aside to kind of force employees to stop and think and actually get out, and get some exercise."
Health officials say obesity rates across the state have nearly doubled over the past 15 years, and programs like this one encourage people to change that by adopting healthier habits.
Eihusen says those good habits and choices affect not just the individual employee but the entire company.
"Our employees are our most valuable asset," Eihusen says.
He says they're also the source of the company's productivity. With insurance premiums on the rise, employers say it's more important than ever to encourage wellness.
Moravec says heart conditions, cardiac conditions and stroke can all be prevented if people take the time to do it. He says that prevention can be a big money-saver.
"It's our thought that it'll pay dividends down the road, for the employee and obviously for the company as well," Eihusen says.
He says it's their goal to ensure employees have a good quality of life both during their employment and after retirement.
This is the tenth year Chief Industries has participated in National Walk at Lunch Day. They're just one of several area businesses to join in.
