BE WELL: Worksites

Many adults spend the better part of their day at work, so creating or improving healthy options in the workplace is critical to improving health in our community. Additionally, employers that offer a worksite wellness policy or program save money through lower insurance costs, increased productivity, and decreased absenteeism.

BE WELL @ WORK partners with local worksites to surround employees with healthy options.

We do this by focusing on the following elements which become the backbone of a comprehensive and sustainable worksite wellness program:

Foundational Elements


Leadership support is the cornerstone. The other elements create a strong foundation.
* Summary of Best Practices for Foundational Elements
* Leadership Support
* Wellness Committee (staffing)
* Organizational Assessment (see Assessment Tools below)
* Wellness Brand/Logo and Vision Statement
Announcement Templates:
Branding Contest
Collect Input for Vision Statement
* Budget
Staffing and Financial Implications
* Written Goals and Measurable Work Plan (see Implementation Tools below)
* Communications Plan
* Employee Engagement Plan (see Implementation Tools below)
Template: Worksite Wellness Survey
 

Assessment Tools


* Foundational Elements
* Healthy Eating at Work
* Breastfeeding Support
MDH Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Recognition Self-Assessment Checklist
* Active Workplace
* Tobacco
* Stress Management
* CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard

Implementation Tools

* Work Plan Form
* Writing S.M.A.R.T. Goals guide
* Funding Request form
* Funding Reimbursement form

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Healthy foods are more available and less expensive than unhealthy foods.
* Summary of Best Practices for Healthy Eating at Work
* Healthy Eating Policy 
Healthy Food and Beverages Guidelines
* Healthy Vending Guide
* Healthy Snack Stations
* Healthy Cafeteria Options
* Healthy Catering (meetings / events)
* Learning Opportunities about Healthy Eating / Nutrition / Cooking 
* Healthy Hydration
* Worksite Gardens for staff or for donating
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Employees who are breastfeeding are supported in their efforts to give their baby the best start!
* Summary of Best Practices for Breastfeeding Support at Work
* Create a Designated and Supportive Mother's Room
* Enact Policies and Practices to Support Mothers
Template Policy for Employee Handbook
Template Informational Handout for Employees expecting a Baby
* Educate Managers about How to Support Mothers
* Educate Decision Makers on the Business Case
* Share Local Support Resources with Mothers
* Apply for Recognition as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace
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Time and places for physical activity.
* Summary of Best Practices for Physical Activity at Work
* Support Opportunities for Physical Activity (such as encouraging walking meetings, mapping walking routes, or encouraging active breaks)
* Create Places for Indoor and Outdoor Activity, such as bicycle racks; bicycle library; standing work stations; stretching/workout spaces with equipment, posters, videos and/or classes; basketball hoop; pickle ball court; etc.
* Apply for Recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Business
* Physical Activity Policy or Guidelines, considering things like Flexible Scheduling and Dress Code (as able)
* Physical Activity Learning Opportunities

Topical Guides & Newsletters

Each quarter, BE WELL plans to add a new topic for worksite wellness committees/coordinators to consider. Each guide provides suggestions as well as a related employee newsletter.

* Incorporate Oral Health into your Wellness Program 06-2019
* Meditation: a Workplace Benefit 09-2019
* E-cigarettes and Vaping 12-2019
* Digital Distractions 03-2020

Other topical resources:
* Walking for Workforce Health Toolkit (Kaiser Permanente)
* yumPower.com (HealthPartners)

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For more information
To learn more about what BE WELL is doing in Blue Earth County, including how to partner with us in making our communities healthier places to live, feel free to contact us.
Kristen Friedrichs, MA
(507) 304-4411

Gretchen Mauerman
(507) 304-4450
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To learn more about what SHIP is doing in the rest of Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Health SHIP webpage.