Health

Dealership Helps Employees On Road To Health

PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) ― A South Florida auto dealership has taken a unique approach in making sure their employees stay on the road to health.

Monday they gathered more than 850 employees, from 8 unified car dealerships, together to have their blood pressure, body fat, and cholesterol checked as part of the first all health day fair in Pembroke Pines.

When it comes to selling cars, the bottom line usually isn't the waistline, but at the Craig Zinn Automotive Group all the employees made the same New Year's resolution – to get healthier.

"We wanted to turn the wheel so to speak, to help our employees, to lead healthier lifestyles, and having a wellness initiative," said Arlene Venero, Director of Human Resources for the Craig Zinn Automotive Group and organizer of the day's event. She said Monday's event was just the first of four successive days of health fairs that will be held at four Zinn dealerships in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Dealership owner Craig Zinn said good health makes for good business.

"When people are dealing with a health issue, they're not focusing on their primary job, which is taking care of customers. That's first," said Zinn.

Zinn said he hopes his efforts will set a precedent and a send a message to other bigger businesses.

"We're showing that we care," said Zinn, "and if we can't do that, then we're really not accomplishing anything today."

Gary Sigal, who works at one of Zinn's dealerships, said he has three very important reasons to keep "his motor running."

"I have three kids, young kids, and I want to make sure I am around for a long time," said Sigal.

Others who attended the health fair, like Grace Banks, said she hopes her healthy habits get others into gear.

"I hope so," said Banks, "I think if they see it. It will be a reality check, yeah."

Bill Mazza, from Zinn's health care provider AvMed, said everybody benefits from catching health problems early.

"If we nip these things early," said Mazza, "it helps the employee, the employer, and the health plan."

Many health professionals point out in today's busy world, it's often difficult for people to get out of the office to get these kind of medical tests done. That's an added benefit to these kinds of health fairs. They suggest that if your company doesn't offer one like it, speak to management about it.

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