Health Links [HL]: What does being a healthy workplace mean to your organization?

East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District [ECCV]: ECCV recognizes that in order to support our mission of "sustaining our community by providing safe, reliable water," we also need to support the people who work here through a culture of health and safety. By creating a workplace culture of health and safety, our staff are more aware of their own well-being, helping ECCV ensure that our mission is attainable. 

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

ECCV: ECCV has created a culture of health that includes our values and strategies to encourage and support all of our team to get healthier, every day. One of the biggest ways we’ve achieved this is by offering additional compensation for individuals to participate in wellness initiatives throughout the year. We also provide dollar-for-dollar reimbursement to employees for gym memberships, fees to participate in a race or walk, or nutrition coaching. Financial incentives, and covering the costs of these services, are a big incentive for our employees.

HL: What changes have you seen among your employees, their families, or the surrounding community as a result of your program(s)?

ECCV: Two of the biggest changes we’ve seen among employees are increased participation and engagement in wellness activities, and increased frequency and level of awareness in the general conversation about workplace health and wellbeing.

HL: How has Health Links helped your organization?

ECCV: Health Links has helped us identify both the strengths and weaknesses of our wellness and safety culture, including areas we can improve and build upon. We’ve been given great resources and direction to reach our short-term goals, ultimately leading us to attain our long-term goal of becoming a Healthy Workplace™ Leader.

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

ECCV: For organizations looking to create a healthy, safe, and happy workplace, our first piece of advice is to “start small.” This can begin with regular check-ins with your employees as their health and safety needs and interests may change over time.  It also helps to make your wellness initiatives engaging and educational, target as many aspects of well-being as you can, and most importantly - utilize the resources from Health Links.