Vermont’s approach to safer and happier work environments.

by Jennifer Dawson

Vermont’s Department of Health is committed to creating a more positive experience for its citizens. Its Worksite Wellness Toolkit contains a wealth of strategies for companies to adopt, in an aim to reduce stress and burnout and boost better physical and mental health. The Department has stated that most Vermonters spend over one-third of their day working and that they are therefore vulnerable to injury, stress, depression, and anxiety. Below are the few strategies they have highlighted, with the hope that most companies will wake up to the wisdom of taking a step forward in the realm of employee wellness.

Benefiting Business

Companies benefit in palpable ways from giving due importance to workers’ health and safety. As found by the CDC, lost productivity owing to absenteeism costs businesses an estimated $1,685 per employee. Lost productivity costs due to poor presenteeism (where workers physically make it to work but cannot perform at their best because of physical or mental issues) is even worse. The oft-ignored issues of obesity, meanwhile, costs large companies around $277,000 per year. There are six main factors, says Vermont’s Department of Health, to focus on to make a significant impact on employee health and wellbeing. These are body mass index, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, tobacco use, and alcohol use. 

The 5-Step Program

The Department of Health has found that there are five key components of a worksite health and wellness strategy that works: forming a wellness team, assessing the worksite, identifying strategies (setting smart goals, setting a timeline, and communicating changes to employees), implementing the company’s chosen strategies, and evaluating the success of the program by assessing employee satisfaction and participation. Wellness is an integrated concept. Therefore, it should be approached from a physical and mental standpoint.

Vital Strategies to Embrace

Over 60% of Vermont workers are overweight or obese, and this means that a smart wellness strategy should begin with a sound diet. To support this goal, companies should educate workers, provide them with key information, and provide incentives for taking part in nutrition and weight management efforts. They can also embrace supportive activities such as hosting on-site nutrition education opportunities, providing on-site biometric screenings, and creating nutritional challenges. They should offer workers the chance to take part in stop smoking programs and implement smoke- and vape-free polices, offering incentives to workers who quit smoking. A third vital strategy is to encourage physical activity. Companies can do this in many ways, including offering on-site fitness opportunities, holding team outdoor challenges, and promoting daily exercise breaks. Other steps to take include promoting a family-friendly workplace and promoting preventive care.

Boosting Safety

One of the most important facets of a health and wellness program is the prioritization of safety. This is particularly vital in high-risk work industries such as construction. Companies are being invited by the government to request free, confidential, no-penalty Project WorkSAFE consultations. They are also being encouraged to educate employees on safety practices, offer ergonomic assessments, and offer health promotion programs such as nutrition, physical activity, and stop smoking programs. It is vital that contractors enjoy regular physical activity, as they have a significantly higher risk of injuries. Contractors frequently bend and stoop, carry heavy loads, and face extreme weather conditions. Therefore, although health and safety is vital for all, companies should take into account that construction works have a high rate of repetitive motion injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and overuse syndrome, compared to those in sedentary occupations. Having said that, even those who sit at desks for various hours up their risk of obesity, vein thrombosis, and diabetes. Therefore, fitness programs should be backed by optimal ergonomics of equipment such as desks and chairs. Smart office design can also ensure that employees get up frequently from their desk and head outside to outdoor, green relaxation areas.

Honing Mental Health

Around 18% of adult workers in Vermont have some form of depression. Anxiety disorders, attention problems, and alcohol and substance abuse issues are also prevalent. Companies can help by providing employees with resources on stress management, providing education on mental health and substance abuse, and offering orientation on workplace policies and support for mental health concerns and substance abuse recovery. They should also let employees know of any mental health benefits offered by the company’s insurance. Finally, stress management support can be provided within offices via workshops, relaxation spaces, and the provision of free counselling.

The Vermont Department of Health is committed to workplace health and safety. Its dedicated toolkit provides companies with a complete guide on how to formulate their wellness strategy. A comprehensive strategy must be multifaceted and cover physical and mental health, as well as workplace safety.