Employees who are healthy are more motivated, more productive and take fewer days off work. 

 

Those are just a few reasons some businesses have started workplace wellness programs.

 

A study by the Minnesota Dept. of Health shows workplace wellness programs can help employers manage the cost of healthcare, benefits and insurance by providing a positive return on investment.

 

Poor health of employees is linked to a 51% decrease in overall productivity, costing companies an estimated $225.8 billion annually.

 

Sherburne County Health & Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with Benton and Stearns counties, is working to help local businesses develop or enhance their existing wellness programs.

 

The Tri-County initiative, called Tri Wellness at Work, is being funded by the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).

 

“We provide resources, tools and technical assistance,” says Kristy Heying of Sherburne County HHS.

 

Last year, each county had individual programs to help local businesses. Locally, it was known as the Sherburne County Worksite Wellness Coalition. 

 

Heying says HHS worked with the City of Becker and Big Lake Schools, with positive results.

 

The Tri-County program is looking to expand that participation this year.

 

“We’re joining our efforts,” says Heying. “We’re hoping to get 15 businesses, five in each county.”

 

In order to participate, Heying says they are asking businesses to have two representatives to meet with the counties where they will receive training on a number of health and wellness-related topics, including healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco use and exposure, breastfeeding support and lifestyle/stress management.

 

“We provide the resources and templates for wellness programs. We might bring in some speakers who specialize in a certain area to provide information,” says Heying. “We’ll meet as a group to network and meet individually with businesses as well.”

 

The program is free to businesses, and the only commitment is to have someone attend monthly meetings for the next 12 to 15 months. Each business will do an employee survey to find out what their preferences are for improving health. 

 

Some ideas used in the past are stretch breaks, creating a tobacco-free policy and installing bike racks.

 

Heying says the real commitment comes at the workplace.

 

“Leadership support is really the key, allowing employees the time to do these things and supporting those efforts,” she says.

 

Businesses that are interested are encouraged to sign up immediately. The deadline is Feb. 29. Applications are available online at tinyurl.com/TriWellness or contact Heying at 763-765-4106, or at Kristy.heying@co.sherburne.mn.us.

 

Once all the applications are reviewed, businessess will be contacted to set up meeting dates and times.