Creating Healthier Worksites

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD) is pleased to highlight the successes of several businesses in Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton counties that they have worked with to create wellness programs over the past several years.   “We have had the pleasure to work with businesses throughout our four county area to help them get started with or expand upon worksite wellness programs that address the unique health goals of their workforce,” says Kori King, Public Health Nurse with Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department.

Three years ago, ELVPHD began contacting businesses to determine their interest in worksite wellness and offering the health department’s assistance in getting worksite wellness started or expanded. Over the years, many businesses signed on to the program and began their journey towards a healthier workplace including: Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District (Norfolk), Beed Trucking (West Point), First National Bank Northeast (Lyons), Liberty Centre Services (Norfolk), Citizens State Bank (Wisner), Northeast Research and Extension Center (Norfolk) and Midtown Health Center (Norfolk). Over 200 employees took part in the worksite wellness efforts and many more individuals were reached as often spouses/family members participated in various ways as well.

Policy development was an important strategy to assist businesses with creating a healthier workplace environment.   Four of the companies implemented lactation break policies, 2 adopted paid exercise breaks and 3 implemented healthy vending policies. Additionally, most incorporated annual employee assessment and blood work screenings so wellness priorities for the upcoming year could be set. Finally, most of the businesses adopted ongoing challenges or newsletters to keep employees informed and motivated.

For more information about worksite wellness and how you can begin or expand wellness efforts please visit our website at www.elvphd.org or call 402-529-2233.