Wellness seminar aimed at businesses

The event, part of Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor Fitness Festival, focuses on showing companies how to get a program up and running – and how to get employees to participate.

Ollis & Co. President Richard Ollis said his employees’ health insurance premium rates have been flat for the last two years since the company launched its wellness program, and the absentee rate is down 20 percent. Six of the company’s 30 employees have lost at least 10 pounds since the program started, he said.

“We’ve implemented a wellness program in our company and had nice results. We’ve taken it to the next level and we’re offering wellness programs for our clients.”

Seminar topics include using incentives to encourage employee participation, legal issues related to creating wellness programs, the usefulness of health wellness assessments, and how wellness efforts also can improve employees’ attitudes and happiness at work.

The Nov. 2 event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 1935 S. Campbell Ave.; registration begins at 8 a.m. A $20 registration fee will benefit Ozark Greenways. The registration deadline is Oct. 26. To register, call (417) 881-8333.