California Company Puts Employees on 'Fiscal' Diet to Promote Well-being

(Vocus/PRWEB ) June 15, 2010 -- The employees at Turman Commercial Painters are going on a diet – but not just the protein shake and treadmill kind - they will be counting pennies as well as calories. Company President Dave Theobald is encouraging his 175 employees to adopt a “fiscal” diet plan to improve their quality of life as a part of a new company health kick.    “Our goal as a company is to send each employee home to their family, in the same or better shape as they come in each morning,” says Theobald. “We felt in addition to encouraging good physical health, that promoting good financial health for our employees is equally important to their well being.”

The company’s new “health kick” does include healthy food choices along with the fiscal plan. Just recently, Turman invested in providing free fruit and other healthy snacks for employees at each of the company's seven offices, has eliminated sodas and is promoting a company-wide “10,000 steps a day” challenge using pedometers. But Theobald believes physical health is only part of a well balanced life and that an improved fiscal regimen will help his employees be happier as well. “A good work-life balance is important. We want people to enjoy a good home life, and be healthy. As finances are one of the main causes of stress in people’s lives, we are focusing on ways to improve that too.”

The company may be on to something. A May 2010 poll by Associated Press-GfK found that about 46% of those surveyed say they're suffering from debt-related stress, and half of that group described their stress as "great deal" or "quite a bit." Another study has linked chronic financial stress to increased workplace absenteeism, diminished workplace performance, and depression. Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board, says that people’s individual circumstances, more than their feelings about the general economy affect their stress over debt. “It’s about what happens to me — my house, my car, my job,” he says. Those studies indicate that Theobald’s new “fiscal diet plan” to help empower employees to make positive changes in their personal finances makes sense.

To assist employees with the financial portion of their "health kick", Theobald is purchasing copies of Total Money Makeover by Fox talk show host Dave Ramsey for each of them. The book lays out seven steps to “financial peace” and shows readers how to start an emergency fund, pay off debts, save 3 – 6 months of expenses, add to college funds, in addition to other steps. For employees who make the commitment, Theobald will go the extra step and send them to an on-line class. Employee Steve Clark likes the idea of a financial “diet”, “I will definitely read the book. I honestly believe there is not enough training in this area, so giving employees support about how to retire debt and get their financial lives organized will be a big help to many.” Theobald references a friend’s non-profit organization whose employees retired a total of $160,000 of their debt using this program. “If we can give our employees the support and knowledge that helps them become more financially comfortable, that will help their stress level, which will help them be happier both at work and at home. It is a win - win for everyone.”

About Turman Inc. - Turman Commercial Painters is a national painting contractor which provides quality commercial painting services across the United States. Founded in 1972, Turman Commercial Painters is based on the premise of doing the right thing. Company President and CEO Dave Theobald leads the organization with a commitment to customer service and integrity. Turman Commercial Painters provides professional painting services with extensive experience in rebrand, tenant improvement, retail, medical, hospitality and restoration projects, through its multiple offices across the country.

For more information see: www.turmaninc.com.