DESPITE the current economic climate, Sandals Resorts have invested much time and money into ensuring that the physical and mental health of their employees is given priority.

It is against this background that for the month of October, the four resorts in Negril – Sandals Negril, Beaches Negril, Beaches Sandy Bay, and Grand Pineapple – implemented a series of activities to engage and sensitise employees on the importance of safeguarding a healthy lifestyle.

The main event was a short walkathon and aerobics session to help build awareness on breast cancer. The walkathon, hosted under the theme: “One in eight: Rising above breast cancer and rising for good health”, took place on October 31. It saw employees participating in an early morning walk and exercise session, and treated to a healthy breakfast provided by Beaches Negril.

“Sandals Resorts continues to place the employees at the forefront of their success. While focus is placed on ensuring that the employees are highly trained, health and wellness has become a major concern,” said a release from the resorts in the Negril region. “The resort chain has taken on projects such as HIV/AIDS at the workplace because of the potential loss that may be (experienced) if sensitisation does not take place. Employees have also been exposed to talk sessions on breast and prostrate cancer as well as mental illness.”

Kemisha Jolly, human resources assistant at Beaches Sandy Bay and participant in the recent walkathon, said she enjoyed it immensely.

“It was just awesome. I wish we could do it every other week. This is something I always wanted to do simply because I wanted to lose weight but didn’t have the company or the enthusiasm to really do it. I really benefitted a lot from this exercise and now I know some new workouts,” she noted in the release.

Dr Michelle Grant, general practitioner in the Negril area, said “many employees are so committed to their line of work that not

much attention is paid to their health”.

“(But) when sick employees go to work and spread their illness, causing contagion, there is lower productivity. As such, this factor must be addressed by any health and wellness programme at the workplace,” she added.

With this in mind, Sandals Resorts have created an integrated, customised approach to keeping people healthy through various ongoing health and wellness activities.