American Apparel Wellness Program

American Apparel Wellness Program American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer and retailer of clothing for men, women, kids and dogs. American Apparel has consolidated all stages of production under one roof at their 800,000 square-foot factory. The business facility is located in downtown Los Angeles and every aspect of the production of garments, from the cutting and sewing, to the photography and marketing, is done in-house. Its goal is to make garments that people love to wear without having to rely on cheap labor. The challenge for companies like American Apparel is to establish new ways of doing business that are efficient and profitable without exploiting workers. To ensure the company’s success and stability, American Apparel sees all of its employees as long- term investments. American Apparel care about their employees health and well being. Therefore, the company provides the following benefits to its employees as a matter of policy: • Wages: American Apparel is committed to paying fair wages to its workers. Their workers are considered to be some of the highest-paid apparel employees in the country. • Job Security: American Apparel goal is to offer full-time and lifetime employment. • Health Care: American Apparel workers have access to company-subsidized health insurance for $12 per week. • Company Subsidized Meals: American Apparel employees are offered a $3 meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, different healthy options from the food vendors are available every day, such as, fresh fruits and vegetables platters. • Natural Light: American Apparel has one of the best-lit garment factories in Los Angeles. • English as a Second Language (ESL): In collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District, American Apparel offers free English classes to the employees. • Health and Wellness: An Occupational Health and Wellness Coordinator is available to council workers. • Weekly Health Bulletins: Are posted on the lunch tables and over the intra-net for employees with internet access. 1 • Vending Machine Nutritional Facts Sheets: Are posted on the Vending Machines and a green healthy choice sticker identifies healthier options. • Health Fairs: The American Cancer Society, The Department of Public Health, The American Diabetes Society, The American Lung Association, Worksite Wellnes Los Angeles, Alameda Industrial Medical Group, Health Care Partners, Planned Parenthood, Blue Shield of California, and CBIZ Benefits are among the organizations that provide free services and health assessments to our employees. • Fitness Assessments: Are offered by the Health and Wellness Coordinator. • On-site Medical Clinic: In October of 2007, American Apparel in association with Health Care Partners, opened a medical clinic exclusively for employees located inside the factory. • Lactation Room: A lactation room is located inside the Medical Clinic. • Physical Activity Classes: The Occupational Health and Wellness Coordinator teaches cardio and muscle conditioning classes free of charge on a voluntary particiption basis. • Therapeutic Massages: American Apparel has 5 certified massage therapists during the day shift and 2 certified massage therapists during the evening who work exclusively with their factory workers, free of charge. • Parking: American Apparel offer free parking in front of the facility. • Public Transportation: American Apparel subsidizes bus passes upon request for all employees. • Machines and Systems: American Apparel provides their garment workers with the most sophisticated cutting and sewing equipment on the market. • Company Telephones: American Apparel employees are allowed to use the company’s telephones free of charge for quick personal calls. • Paid Days Off: American Apparel devised a system based on the number of years an employee has worked, making workers eligible for between 5-15 paid personal days off per year. • Bicycle Program: A bicycle-lending program is available to any worker upon request. • Employment Training: A government-subsidized program offers each worker eight paid hours of training to improve job and management skills. 2 • Better Quality and Fit: Rather than seasonal trends, American Apparel offers an expansive year-round line. • Setting an Example: The company’s profitability is a testament to the fact that the model can be applied to many companies and industries worlwide. American Apparel employs approximately 6,000 workers worldwide. More than 3,000 employees work at the Los Angeles manufacturing plant spread across three shifts. Approximately, 2,000 company sewers are of Hispanic descent and do not speak or write the English language. In conclusion, an on-site wellness program can be successfully conducted in a challenging manufacturing environment. However, it should be recognized that the program needs a passionate leader to drive the wellness program while continuing to motivate and educate the participants. 3.

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