Introduction

Pfizer Inc (Pfizer) has an established reputation for valuing and investing in the health and well being of its employees, and Pfizer’s leadership has set clear direction that Pfizer shall be a premier global employer. As the company celebrates its 150^th year of operation, Pfizer is committed to integrating and aligning its Employee Health and Wellness strategy, goals, and incentives with the broader organization’s mission—"Life is our life’s work". Pfizer recognizes that the health, well being, and positive outlook of their employees are crucial to the company’s continuing success.

The Premier Employer Program is a multidimensional, integrated effort designed to attract, develop, and retain an employee population that embodies the Pfizer values of integrity, innovation, respect for people, customer focus, teamwork, leadership, performance, and community. The company’s health-care and welfare benefit strategy supports this effort by assisting employees to better manage their health and to balance life needs and goals with their professional careers. The strategy uses objective information to evaluate the effectiveness of sponsored initiatives, and drive program improvements. The focus of Pfizer’s health care strategy is on imparting joint ownership of employee health on the employee and Pfizer, and to optimize employee productivity and satisfaction.

Mission Statement

To improve the quality of life of all Pfizer employees by offering accessible, innovative and educational health and wellness programs. In keeping with Pfizer’s commitment to become the premier global employer in the pharmaceutical industry, this leadership affords the Pfizer community with opportunities to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives by supporting lifestyle changes.

Program Objectives

The goals of the program include:

• Assist Pfizer to attract and retain the best people.
• Develop employees into the most productive and engaged workforce possible.
• Enhance employee and dependent health by primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
• Maximize the value of the benefits offered by effectively managing health care resources.
• Assist employees and dependents to be informed and efficient consumers of health care.

Program Description

The targeted population for Pfizer’s health care strategy includes employees and their families. Pfizer has approximately 18,500 employees in the U.S. The majority of the employee population is between the ages of 30–40 years.

Pfizer supports health and productivity optimization of its population through a multidimensional, highly integrated approach. Convenient access to initiatives is assured via on-site administration and access. Pfizer’s strategy includes the following (on-site) initiatives and program components:

• Health risk assessment/identification initiatives
• Wellness and health education initiatives
• Disease management initiatives
• Medical clinics
• Fitness centers
• On-site Physical therapy
• Ergonomics program
• Managed disability
• Welfare benefits/health care delivery evaluation/enhancement initiatives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Program Participation and Promotion

Interest and participation in the Premier Employer Program is very high. In Pfizer’s New York location, 85% of employees participated in one or more of the programs described above, and 80% of employees used on-site health services in 1998. Over 46% (1,300 members) of the total population participates in the fitness center, and there is a waitlist of 200 for enrollment since 1,300 is the highest number of members this center can accommodate. The fitness center in Groton, CT had 672 members and at the time of this analysis was at full capacity (this center has since expanded). Participation rates at other locations are similar for on-site initiatives. Participation rates vary by program component.

The Premier Employer Program is promoted via communication and education to employees delivered via a variety of media. Print materials, on-site communication, and intranet/internet access to information regarding Pfizer health management programs ensures that employees have access to information regarding program initiatives. These media also provide educational support to provide participants with the most up-to-date information regarding health risk reduction.

Many components have been in place for more than 10 years. New initiatives have been added as needs have been reassessed and program effectiveness evaluated. The program is staffed by the Medical and Fitness Center departments, and includes clinical and allied health professionals, and mental health practitioners (EAP program staffing). In addition, Pfizer has research staff who focus on measuring the impact of a wide variety of Pfizer-sponsored health and well-being initiatives, and this group assists with analyses of cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) for the Premier Employer Program.