Building a Culture of Wellness in the Municipal Workforce

Employee wellness programs can improve morale and productivity, and lower absenteeism. They also make people feel better, and more connected, so they’re becoming an increasingly important part of how municipalities recruit, retain, and support their workforces. But what does effective workplace wellness actually look like, and how can communities make programs accessible and relevant to employees with very different jobs, schedules, and needs?We’re joined by Chris Bailey, Director of the MIIA Health Benefits Trust, and Courtney Hernandez, Wellness Manager at MIIA, to discuss what municipalities can do to build a sustainable culture of employee wellness.They discuss why wellness has to go beyond one-off programs; how to drive participation by making programs fun and rewarding; and why it makes more sense to focus on small, achievable goals than ambitious lifestyle overhauls. They also discuss tailoring programs — from bringing movement programs directly to DPW garages to helping snowplow drivers make healthier choices during long shifts.For Further Reading:Learn more about the MIAA Health Benefits Trust: https://www.emiia.org/health-dental-and-vision-insurance  To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org