Governor's Column by Dave Heineman

2009 Leaders in Workplace Wellness Nov. 9, 2009 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: Recently, I had the pleasure of recognizing several Nebraska employers for their efforts to promote wellness at work. Last year, we developed an award to highlight successful workplace wellness programs and 27 organizations were honored this year as Governor’s Excellence in Wellness Award winners.

The Governor’s award recognizes Nebraska companies who incorporate wellness into their business plans. Companies and public sector offices in Fremont, Gering, Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln, Minden, Nebraska City, and Omaha were honored with a 2009 Governor’s award for encouraging workers to be more active.

Workplace prevention and wellness efforts have been shown to improve productivity and satisfaction. They can also help control health care costs. These are exactly the results reported by 2009 workplace wellness award winners.

Several businesses reported lower rates of cigarette and tobacco use, lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure. More people received an annual flu vaccination. Several businesses connected participation in a wellness program to provide employees health insurance with a credit or discount on monthly insurance rates.

Nebraska companies have been very creative in their workplace wellness efforts. Several manufacturing and repair industries have mapped out indoor and outdoor walking paths for walking teams to use during breaks. Other tools included holding ‘lunch and learn’ events with speakers presenting on a variety of health-related topics and sponsoring local health walks for charitable groups and encouraging worker teams to participate.

Other offices developed unique programs designed with their work in mind. A fitness group provides employees with gym memberships as part of a program encouraging workers to practice what they preach. It also provides training that helped certify 90 percent of its employees in first-aid and CPR. Another organization working with children and families in high stress situations developed a wellness effort that inspires workers to recognize when some extra support and encouragement might benefit a fellow co-worker.

Award winners documented results ranging from a 25 percent decrease in worker absenteeism, to half of all participants achieving better Body Mass Index rates. One organization reported a 38 percent increase in annual physicals. For one business, employees without a personal exercise plan declined from 34 to 12 percent, and two-thirds of all employees report working out at least three days a week.

Others reported a 33 percent increase in employees eating the recommended daily allowance of vegetables. Several companies have participation rates for health risk surveys and blood screening programs increase to three out of every four employees.

The key to long-term gains is consistent worker participation and improvement. One workplace has had health insurance rates increase during the past five years by an average of just 2.6 percent a year. That is a dramatic improvement. It’s an indicator that the economics of workplace wellness are positive for both workers and employers.

We will continue to recognize businesses and organizations that develop successful workplace wellness efforts. More information on the Governor’s wellness award and application information are available online at www.Nebraska.gov.

I want to thank the partners who have supported this recognition program and I applaud the success of the 27 organizations honored this year. By taking the initiative to encourage workplace wellness, they are making Nebraska a healthier place to live.