Working to make local workplaces 'well'

Nutrition, Fitness, Wellness 8 years ago KELLY BOELDT Less than a minute to read

In January 2015, the Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition (SCAN) Coalition, announced plans to pursue a “Well County” designation.

“Well County” status is achieved when at least 20 organizations that collectively employ at least 20 percent of a community’s workforce become designated as “Well Workplaces” within a three-year period. Each employer must complete the Wellness Council of America’s (WELCOA’s) Well Workplace Award application to document their progress in developing their worksite wellness initiatives. The process is driven by a rigorous set of criteria outlined in WELCOA’s seven benchmarks to a resultsoriented Well Workplace.

The “Sheboygan Well County” initiative is supported locally by the Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI). That’s the only nonprofit organization in Wisconsin dedicated exclusively to helping employers design results-oriented wellness programs to maximize the health and productivity of their most valuable asset: their employees. With their assistance, SCAN has recruited 24 companies to the “Sheboygan Well County” initiative and will have until Nov. 1, 2019, to achieve “Well County” designation.

Participating companies include: Associated Benefits and Risk Consulting, Aurora Healthcare, Bemis Manufacturing Company, Faith Technologies, Holy Family Memorial, Johnsonville Sausage, Just Kids Dental, Kohler Company, Lakeland University, Lakeshore Technical College, Masters Gallery Foods, McClone Agency, Plastics Engineering Company, Plymouth Foam, Plymouth School District, Prairie States Enterprises, Prevea Health, Sargento Foods, Sheboygan Area School District, Sheboygan County, Sheboygan Paint, Sheboygan YMCA, St. Nicholas Hospital and Vollrath Company.

Nationally, only 13 communities have previously achieved this prestigious honor. Of these, four are in Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Racine, the Fox Cities and Oshkosh. La Crosse and Fond du Lac are also working toward Well City designations. As companies and communities continue to compete for top talent, designations such as this help in recruiting and retainment efforts.

A “next steps” meeting is being held for Sheboygan Well County participants and other interested community members from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 25 at Sargento. Presented by the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, the presentation will provide details related to the requirements and timeline for the project.

For information, or to learn how your business can join the effort, visit the Healthy Sheboygan County website at tinyurl .com/WellCounty2017.

Kelly Boeldt is the membership services manager at the Sports Core