Working Well-Being Together
Best Places to Work Winner: Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018
ISLAND SCENE MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2018 ISSUE
WRITTEN BY: LYNN SHIZUMURA
HOW COMPANIES SUPPORT THEIR EMPLOYEES.
In 2016, an international research organization called the Global Wellness Institute published a report about the future of wellness in the workplace. “Companies must adopt a culture of wellness as a default, not the exception, if they want to attract and retain good people,” the report says.
In Hawai‘i, employers are doing just that. They’re adopting a workplace culture that supports their employees in their health, fitness, and overall well-being. If you’re looking for ways to refresh your well-being program or need a push to go to your company-sponsored dance class, read on for ideas and inspiration.
CREATING A CULTURE OF WELL-BEING
When you first hear the company’s name, you might think that there’s a man named Austin Tsutsumi. But engineering firm Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates (ATA) is named after H.A.R Austin and Caesar S. Tsutsumi, both of whom retired more than 20 years ago. Today, Terrance Arashiro, president and civil engineer, leads the company. As president, one of his priorities is creating a well-rounded workplace for the company’s 70 employees.
About five years ago, ATA formed a health and wellness committee run mostly by junior employees. The committee meets every few months to discuss volunteer opportunities and ways to support better health in their O‘ahu, Maui, and Big Island offices.
Claire Fukuoka is a project manager and committee member. She’s in charge of the company’s newsletter, ‘Olelo o ATA – The voice of ATA, which includes healthy recipes, recaps of volunteer projects, and stories about employees improving their well-being. A past newsletter featured employees who use a standing desk.
Daniel Kunishige, a computer-aided drafting manager and committee member, is one of a handful of employees who stand all or most of the day at work. He started standing at work to alleviate his back pain. “The first couple of weeks were the most uncomfortable, but I knew it would get better,” he says. “Now, I barely notice that I’m standing all day. It has great benefits for my health, posture, and productivity.”
Volunteering is a big part of the culture at ATA. Throughout the year, employees volunteer at community clean-ups, school projects, and walks that support community causes. Tati Mulitauaopele, an engineer technician and committee member, is one of the employees who plans volunteer projects for her co-workers. She led the company’s participation in the state’s Point-in-Time Count, an annual survey of Hawai‘i’s homeless population. For the project, Opele and her co-workers attended training and collected information from homeless people in Honolulu. “Now we’re thinking about other ways to help this cause,” she says.
Yoga brings everyone together. Every Tuesday, employees roll out their mats for an hour-long yoga session in ATA’s large conference room. In the past, the company offered strength training and boxing classes based on their employees’ interests.
Employees like Opele and Fukuoka say that serving on the wellness committee contributes to their sense of purpose. “The company is very supportive of total well-being,” says Fukuoka. “It’s really great to be a part of that.”
