Employers recognize wellness benefits
Sheboygan County employers credit health and wellness initiatives at the work site for providing organizational and community rewards.
Benefits include creating a culture of healthy living, supporting individual rewards, improving physical and mental health, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, improving cost savings on medical plans, aiding in recruitment and retention and improving economic growth.
The Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition Coalition, a committee of Healthy Sheboygan 2020, provides support for Sheboygan County businesses interested in developing or enhancing a work site wellness program.
Support includes health resources, housed on the Healthy Sheboygan 2020 website at healthy sheboygancounty.org, including local health and wellness resources as well as current activities, an annual work site wellness seminar providing employers the opportunity to learn and network with local wellness experts and business peers — the fourth annual seminar, hosted by HSC2020, SCAN, Prevea Health, Aurora Health Care and Sargento, will be 7:30 a.m. until noon April 26 at UWSheboygan, breakfast is included and admission is complimentary; coordination of a corporate countywide fitness competition to promote and recognize “Employee Health and Fitness Day,” which this year’s competition will be May 18.
Thecommitteehasalso made progress with the ambitious goal to achieve “Well County” designation by Dec. 31, 2020. “Well County” designation requires aminimumof20organizations that collectively employ at least 20 percent of the community’s workforce to achieve “Well Workplace” certification through the Wellness Council of America.
In August, Sheboygan County reported a workforce of 63,200 with employment of 61,800. Sheboygan “Well County” efforts will minimally impact approximately12,640 workers, equivalent to 20 percent of the workforce. To date,13 companies who collectively employ more than 20 percent of the workforce have pledged their commitment to obtaining “Well Workplace” designation from WELCOA in the next three years. To learn more about any of the worksite wellness resources available to Sheboygan County employers, visit healthy sheboygancounty.org or email Jean.Pittner@sheboygancounty.com or Amy.Betke@sheboygan county.com Those interested in being a part of the Sheboygan “Well County” process should email Kelly .Boeldt@prevea.com.
Kelly Boeldt is the Prevea Health partnership services coordinator, member of the SCAN Coalition and the Sheboygan Well County Task Force.