Elevating Employee Health and Wellness Through Fitness at Harris

2.6 minute read

March 01, 2023

At Harris & Associates, one of our Shared Values is to Invest in Our People and we embody this Shared Value by promoting a culture of health and wellness across our organization. Our various fitness activities not only promote physical health—they also contribute to a positive work-life balance and a sense of community among our employee-owners.

Michelle White during our Zombie Walking Challenge

In the summer of 2022, we used the Outbreak Challenge app to kick off our 6-week Harris Zombie Walking Challenge, turning our real-world steps into an interactive adventure in the zombie wasteland. We saw 74 employee-owners participate, logging a total of 32,021,527 steps (approximately 16,011 miles), which is about the length of Australia’s coastline! Prizes were awarded to the top performers in various categories. Many employee-owners also made use of our Health and Well-Being Allowance to purchase equipment for this challenge, such as running shoes and fitness trackers. Our unique benefit gives Harris staff up to $350 each calendar year to offset their wellness expenses. This challenge not only encouraged employee-owners to increase their daily steps, it also promoted team-building and friendly competition.

I joined because I wanted to connect with my coworkers. Feeling like part of a team is so important in our hybrid work environment and getting the chance to work towards a goal with my teammates has been so fun! The comradery that comes from pushing each other and celebrating our wins makes me feel like we've already won!

—Carmen Perkins, Employee Services Administrator

Another annual event that employee-owners participate in is Bike MS: Waves to Wine, which raises funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research. Led by Vern Phillips, our Harris team rode 75 miles up the California coast with hundreds of other volunteers in 2022. As part of our benefits package, we also matched employees’ personal donations. By participating in this event, employee-owners improved their physical health and made a positive impact on the lives of those living with MS.

Employee-owners also participated in the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Mud Run and the Malibu Half Marathon. These events not only promote fitness, they also give back to the community. A portion of the proceeds from the 2022 Malibu Half Marathon went to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

Our Shared Value of Investing in Our People permeates everything we do as a firm. From fostering a culture of health and wellness to providing a comprehensive benefits package, we take care of our employee-owners and their families. If you're interested in learning more about what it's like to be part of the team, visit our benefits page and discover why Harris & Associates is the perfect place for you!