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Braving the benefits
What does corporate massage look
like, anyway?
Well, imagine this scenario: It's late on a
Friday afternoon. Your whole department
has been under intense pressure to wrap
up that humongous project you've been
working on for months. Nerves are
frayed. Happy hour is looming. No one
can think about anything but escape.
Then right at 4 p.m., in walks a healthy-
looking individual toting a strange,
padded, chair-like contraption that he
proceeds to unfold over in one corner.
This is the "corporate massage" that your
boss promised.
One brave soul offers to go first, and the
rest of you watch while he sits down —
fully clothed — on the device, which
seems to support all of his weight easily
at the knees, elbows, chest, and head. As
he leans forward and relaxes, you can
feel the pressure on your own limbs start
to dissipate, too. The massage therapist
begins with some strong kneading of the
shoulders and upper back.
"Ahh, this is great!" roars your co-worker
through the circular face rest. Quietly, but
quickly, people start to drift over to that
side of the room, and soon a line begins
to form. One after another, everyone is
treated to ten minutes of much-needed
relief, and a funny thing starts to happen.
Happy hour is no longer calling so
urgently. As you stand around chatting
with newly relaxed colleagues, the ideas
begin to flow again, and you end up
staying until after 7 p.m., coming up with
a few great new concepts that will make
this project even better.
--Yes, scenarios like this one can actually
occur. Massage in the workplace has
many such benefits, including the
following:
--Increases employee morale, Lowers
stress, Decreases overuse injuries
--Provides some high-touch to
counterbalance high-tech environments
--Offers employees something new and
different
--Nobody has to undress, and if they
really don't want their hair messed up,
they just have ask the massage therapist
not to massage their head.
--The massage is usually given in a
public space and is very conservative.
--The boss realizes that happy
employees are productive employees.
--Employees who receive this extra
benefit are more likely to feel grateful and
be more responsible.
Paying for the privilege:
So you're left with one last issue — who
pays for all this? Normally, payment is
handled in one of three ways:
--The company pays: This scenario,
which is the most common, allows
employees to forget about whether or not
they can afford the massage, and it
makes the boss look great.
--Everyone contributes to a pool: This
scenario is less common, but some
companies still choose it. Pulling those
few dollars out of your pocket may hurt at
first, but what you receive is better for
you than the typical office-pool birthday
cakes.
--Everyone pays separately: This
scenario is the least common. Though it
may prove quite popular, paying
separately often leaves people feeling a
little at loose ends. Should they pay?
Should they not pay?
No matter what the scenario, the
massage therapists often appreciate tips,
unless everyone is aware that a service
charge has been added up front. Either
way, the massage more than pays for
itself almost immediately. A massage pro
brought in once a week or once a month
can truly upgrade the total work
experience of everyone involved.
What does corporate massage look
like, anyway?
Well, imagine this scenario: It's late on a
Friday afternoon. Your whole department
has been under intense pressure to wrap
up that humongous project you've been
working on for months. Nerves are
frayed. Happy hour is looming. No one
can think about anything but escape.
Then right at 4 p.m., in walks a healthy-
looking individual toting a strange,
padded, chair-like contraption that he
proceeds to unfold over in one corner.
This is the "corporate massage" that your
boss promised.
One brave soul offers to go first, and the
rest of you watch while he sits down —
fully clothed — on the device, which
seems to support all of his weight easily
at the knees, elbows, chest, and head. As
he leans forward and relaxes, you can
feel the pressure on your own limbs start
to dissipate, too. The massage therapist
begins with some strong kneading of the
shoulders and upper back.
"Ahh, this is great!" roars your co-worker
through the circular face rest. Quietly, but
quickly, people start to drift over to that
side of the room, and soon a line begins
to form. One after another, everyone is
treated to ten minutes of much-needed
relief, and a funny thing starts to happen.
Happy hour is no longer calling so
urgently. As you stand around chatting
with newly relaxed colleagues, the ideas
begin to flow again, and you end up
staying until after 7 p.m., coming up with
a few great new concepts that will make
this project even better.
--Yes, scenarios like this one can actually
occur. Massage in the workplace has
many such benefits, including the
following:
--Increases employee morale, Lowers
stress, Decreases overuse injuries
--Provides some high-touch to
counterbalance high-tech environments
--Offers employees something new and
different
--Nobody has to undress, and if they
really don't want their hair messed up,
they just have ask the massage therapist
not to massage their head.
--The massage is usually given in a
public space and is very conservative.
--The boss realizes that happy
employees are productive employees.
--Employees who receive this extra
benefit are more likely to feel grateful and
be more responsible.
Paying for the privilege:
So you're left with one last issue — who
pays for all this? Normally, payment is
handled in one of three ways:
--The company pays: This scenario,
which is the most common, allows
employees to forget about whether or not
they can afford the massage, and it
makes the boss look great.
--Everyone contributes to a pool: This
scenario is less common, but some
companies still choose it. Pulling those
few dollars out of your pocket may hurt at
first, but what you receive is better for
you than the typical office-pool birthday
cakes.
--Everyone pays separately: This
scenario is the least common. Though it
may prove quite popular, paying
separately often leaves people feeling a
little at loose ends. Should they pay?
Should they not pay?
No matter what the scenario, the
massage therapists often appreciate tips,
unless everyone is aware that a service
charge has been added up front. Either
way, the massage more than pays for
itself almost immediately. A massage pro
brought in once a week or once a month
can truly upgrade the total work
experience of everyone involved.
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| Massage in the Workplace |
A growing number of businesses are providing massage as part of their
employee wellness programs.
Businesses know that having healthy employees translates into increased
competitiveness in the marketplace. Workers that are healthy and well contribute
to a company’s productivity — and that means profits.
Many employers are noting the positive effects of an on-site massage program as
part of their wellness program. Moreover, they have found massage to be a cost-
effective benefit, the cost of which employees are willing to share.
On-site massage is becoming one of the fastest growing employee wellness
benefits that companies offer. It is a safe, convenient, cost-effective program that
boosts employee morale and provides valuable health benefits.
employee wellness programs.
Businesses know that having healthy employees translates into increased
competitiveness in the marketplace. Workers that are healthy and well contribute
to a company’s productivity — and that means profits.
Many employers are noting the positive effects of an on-site massage program as
part of their wellness program. Moreover, they have found massage to be a cost-
effective benefit, the cost of which employees are willing to share.
On-site massage is becoming one of the fastest growing employee wellness
benefits that companies offer. It is a safe, convenient, cost-effective program that
boosts employee morale and provides valuable health benefits.
| Advantages of Workplace Massage --Increases employee performance and productivity. --Reduces adverse effects associated with repetitive work tasks and prolonged sitting positions. --Appeals to a broad employee base. --Shows that the employer cares. --Improves good feelings about the workplace . --Enhances employee loyalty. --Relieves tension and tired muscles. --Requires no overhead to maintain and no capital investment for start up Reduces employee absenteeism. --Energizes employees and encourages them to return to work. |
Why is on-site chair
massage so popular?
Immediate positive
effects – employees
feel better right away.
It works for everybody
and is available in a
variety of work
environments.
No capital investment
start-up costs.
No overhead to
maintain.
massage so popular?
Immediate positive
effects – employees
feel better right away.
It works for everybody
and is available in a
variety of work
environments.
No capital investment
start-up costs.
No overhead to
maintain.
Off-Site Fee Schedules
The basic rate for chair massage in the workplace is $100/hr, plus a travel fee if
your office is outside of New Haven (to be negotiated by phone, depending on
location & available parking). If less than three hours are contracted, the rate is
$120/hr. Gratuities at your discretion.
In one hour, a massage therapist can tend to 2-5 people, depending on the
length of massage time designated by the contracting party. It is recommended
that a minimum of 15 minutes are allotted to each massage recipient.
The basic rate for chair massage in the workplace is $100/hr, plus a travel fee if
your office is outside of New Haven (to be negotiated by phone, depending on
location & available parking). If less than three hours are contracted, the rate is
$120/hr. Gratuities at your discretion.
In one hour, a massage therapist can tend to 2-5 people, depending on the
length of massage time designated by the contracting party. It is recommended
that a minimum of 15 minutes are allotted to each massage recipient.