Richards group with Dr. Levine. Photographs by Ian Thomas Janssen Lunquist.
Wellness Conference focuses on resilience in times of change
Vermont Business Magazine Seventy-two Vermont employers received the Governor’s Distinguished Workplace Health Award at the annual Workplace Wellness Conference, held this week at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpellier. Awards are given to Vermont employers for activities, programs, and policies to help employees improve their health.
Most Vermontese spend more than a third of their day at work. Research has shown that an environment that promotes employee well-being in the workplace, and that policies and programs actively support, can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of employees. These practices also yield Benefits for employerssuch as a positive workplace culture that is attractive to potential employees, improves employee morale, and reduces absenteeism and health care costs.
The Workplace Wellness Conference brings together Vermont business owners, human resources experts, and health experts from across Vermont to share ideas and best practices for promoting healthy workplaces. This year’s conference – the first to be held in person since 2019 – was themed “Developing Wellness and Resilience During Times of Change”. The event included a panel discussion, workshops and a keynote address by Vanessa Santos Eugenio, Director of Development and Diversity for the City of Burlington and Executive Director of We All Rise Yoga and Meditation. The conference is presented by Vermont Governor’s Council on Fitness and Sports and the Ministry of Health.
While presenting the awards, Commissioner for Health Mark Levine, MD, thanked the participants for their partnership in promoting health and wellness. Dr. Levine acknowledged the challenges employers and employees have faced as a result of the pandemic and called on employers to continue contributing to efforts to ensure flexibility in the workplace.
Dr. said. Levine: “The past two and a half years have required all of us to navigate and adapt to new challenges in a range of areas.” “Our nation’s recovery and revitalization includes tackling ‘health debt’ – the buildup of negative health behaviors during a pandemic that will increase and prolong the impact of chronic diseases for years to come. We need not only to improve their lifestyle choices at home, but also to support wellness in our workplaces.”
The Ministry of Health provides support and guidance to companies looking to implement wellness policies. Some of the main things that employers can do include preparation Family friendly policies Such as being a breastfeeding-friendly employer, promoting tobacco cessation in employees, providing opportunities for physical activity and reducing stress during the day, and increasing access to healthy food options in the workplace.
To learn more about workplace health initiatives for employees and companies, and to find sample strategies and policy templates, visit healthvermont.gov/3-4-50/businesses And the healthvermont.gov/worksite-wellness.
The local health office also provides support for employee health initiatives. Find your local office in healthvermont.gov/local.
List of the 2022 Workplace Excellence Awards Recipients:
Albert Bridge School
AN Deringer
ASIC North, Inc.
Aspire Living and Learning, Inc.
Ben and Jerry
Berlin Primary School
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Burton
Central Supervision Association of Caledonia
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
Chittenden County Solid Waste
Chroma Technology Corp
City of Burlington / Human Resources
Collins Aerospace
community care network
Cooperative insurance companies
Engelberth Construction, Inc.
Franklin County Home Health Agency
Gifford Health Care, Inc.
GlobalFoundries
Grace Cottage Hospital
Supervisory Union of the Grand Island
Hallam-ICS
Heartland Elementary School
Heritage Family Credit Union
Hickok & Boardman HR Intelligence
Hickok and Boardman Insurance Group
hill
Howard Center
Injury and Health Management Solutions Company
IVEK . company
Jericho Primary School
King Arthur Baking Co
Lamuel County Mental Health Services
LAMEL HEALTH PARTNERS CO
press lin
Maple Run Unified School District
Mascoma Bank
Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District
Mount Scotney Hospital
Healthcare MVP
New Chapter, Inc.
North Country Hospital
Nordic Federal Credit Union
The work of the Society of the Northeastern Kingdom
Northeast Kingdom for Human Services
Northfield Savings Bank
Northwestern Counselling & Support Services, Inc.
One Digital
OnLogic
computer building
ReArch, Inc.
Springfield Hospital
Vermont
Richards Group
University of Vermont Medical Center
Fairmont Country Store
Brattleboro Town
Mutual union
United Counseling Service
University of Vermont
Vermont Electrical Association
Vermont Federal Credit Union
Information Processing at Vermont, Inc.
Vermont Cooperative Insurance Company
Fairmont Buckinghouse
Precision Tools Vermont
Vermont School Board Insurance Fund
Vermont Student Aid Foundation
VNA and Hospice in the southwest region
Whitsfield Elementary School
Mental Health Services of Washington County
