Health Links (HL): What does being a healthy business mean to your organization? 

Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA): The Colorado Visiting Nurse Association values employee wellness and safety. In 2017, we implemented a fifth formal organizational value: “Creating a culture of safety and wellness.” We value our employees and we want to ensure they are healthy and provide a safe environment for them. This benefits both the employee and the overall organization, decreasing absenteeism, improving productivity and overall patient and employee satisfaction.

Healthy Employees = Healthy Business = Healthy Patients

HL: How does your organization create a culture of health, safety, and well-being for employees?

CVNA: We implemented a physical corporate office build, which included an employee fitness area, open workspace, natural lighting, a positive environment, a safe location, and a full kitchen. We asked for employee input to determine what they wanted out of the new physical office environment, which was key in creating an overall improved workspace.

CVNA has also had an active employee wellness program as part of our strategic plan for the last five years. In the last year, we implemented a formal Safety Initiative focused on a reduction of work injuries and continued goals of employee total health. 

HL: How has Health Links helped your organization?

CVNA: The Health Links program came at just the right time as our agency was planning our new building move, rolling out a Safety Initiative, and keeping wellness and safety at the forefront of our planning. Health Links has offered recommendations, a model for goal setting, and provided direction on integrating employee wellness and safety into one program. The SSWell study has also provided a framework for focus and shed new light on tying Total Worker Health^® into one program. 

HL: What tips or pieces of advice would you give to a business looking to create a healthier, safer, and happier environment?

WCG: Involve employees to provide input and thoughts into programs offered or physical environment changes. Employee satisfaction comes in all shapes and sizes, so understanding both satisfiers and dis-satisfiers is essential.