Wal-Mart Launching Employee Wellness Program

Wal-Mart Stores has begun to implement a voluntary program to help employees "develop individual goals to improve their health and wellness" and improve the environment, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.

In a news release, Andy Ruben, vice president for corporate strategy and sustainability at Wal-Mart, said that the Personal Sustainability Project is "about making and sustaining one simple change in life that you can be passionate about -- anything from riding a bike to work or using eco-friendly household cleaning products to eating healthy meals instead of fast-food or recycling at home."

Under the program, employees select personal sustainability goals and monitor their progress for at least four to seven weeks.

Wal-Mart spokesperson David Tovar said, "The nationwide rollout started two weeks ago with store retreats, which are orientation and training sessions for associate captains," who "take the program back to their individual stores and train their peers in the program."

Eight Wal-Mart stores in Denver, Indianapolis and Tampa, Fla., implemented the program on a trial basis in 2006 and found a number of employees who participated improved their diets, quit smoking and began group exercise programs.

Wal-Mart will implement the program at all U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores by the end of 2007 (Roberts, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/6).