Vermont employers recognized for policies that support Worksite Wellness

The Richards Group with Dr Levine. Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist photos.

Wellness Conference focuses on resiliency in times of change

Vermont Business Magazine Seventy-two Vermont employers received the Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award at the annual Worksite Wellness Conference, held this week at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. The awards recognize Vermont employers for activities, programs and policies to help employees improve their health.

Most Vermonters spend more than one third of their day at work. Research has shown that an environment promoting employee wellness in the workplace, actively supported by policies and programs, can have a significant influence on employees’ health and well-being. These practices also yield benefits for employers, such as a positive workplace culture attractive to prospective employees, improved employee morale, and reduced absenteeism and health care costs.

The Worksite Wellness Conference brings together Vermont business owners, human resources professionals and wellness experts from across Vermont to exchange ideas and best practices for promoting healthy workplaces. This years’ conference – the first held in person since 2019 – was themed “Cultivating Wellness and Resilience During Times of Change.” The event featured a panel discussion, workshops and a keynote address by Vanessa Santos Eugenio, Development and Diversity manager for the City of Burlington and executive director of We All Rise Yoga and Meditation. The conference is presented by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Department of Health.

Presenting the awards, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD thanked participants for their partnership in promoting health and wellness. Dr. Levine acknowledged the challenges employers and employees have faced as a result of the pandemic and called on employers to continue to contribute to efforts to ensure resilience in the workplace.

“These past two and a half years have required us all to navigate and adapt to new challenges in a host of areas,” Dr. Levine said. “Our state’s recovery and revitalization include addressing our ‘health debt’ – the accumulation of negative health behaviors during the pandemic that will increase and prolong the effect of chronic diseases for years to come. We not only need people to improve their lifestyle choices at home, but to also support wellness in our workplaces.”

The Department of Health provides supports and guidance for businesses looking to implement wellness policies. Some key things employers can do include setting family-friendly policies such as being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Employer, fostering employee tobacco use cessation, providing opportunities for physical activity and stress reduction during the day, and increasing access to healthy food choices at the workplace. 

To learn more about worksite wellness initiatives for employees and businesses, and find sample strategies and policy templates, visit healthvermont.gov/3-4-50/businesses and healthvermont.gov/worksite-wellness.

Your Local Health Office also offers support for employee wellness initiatives. Find your local office at healthvermont.gov/local.

List of 2022 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Awardees:

Albert Bridge School

AN Deringer

ASIC North, Inc.

Aspire Living & Learning, Inc.

Ben & Jerry’s

Berlin Elementary School

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont

Burton

Caledonia Central Supervisory Union

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity

Chittenden Solid Waste District

Chroma Technology Corp

City of Burlington/HR

Collins Aerospace

Community Care Network

Co-operative Insurance Companies

Engelberth Construction, Inc.

Franklin County Home Health Agency

Gifford Health Care, Inc.

GlobalFoundries

Grace Cottage Hospital

Grand Isle Supervisory Union

Hallam-ICS

Hartland Elementary School

Heritage Family Credit Union

Hickok & Boardman HR Intelligence

Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group

Hill

Howard Center

Injury & Health Management Solutions Inc.

IVEK Corporation

Jericho Elementary School

King Arthur Baking Co

Lamoille County Mental Health Services

Lamoille Health Partners

Lane Press

Maple Run Unified School District

Mascoma Bank

Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District

Mt. Ascutney Hospital

MVP Health Care

New Chapter, Inc.

North Country Hospital

North Country Federal Credit Union

Northeast Kingdom Community Action

Northeast Kingdom Human Services

Northfield Savings Bank

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, Inc.

OneDigital

OnLogic

PC Construction

ReArch Company, Inc.

Springfield Hospital

State of Vermont

The Richards Group

The University of Vermont Medical Center

The Vermont Country Store

Town of Brattleboro

Union Mutual

United Counseling Service

University of Vermont

Vermont Electric Co-op

Vermont Federal Credit Union

Vermont Information Processing, Inc.

Vermont Mutual Insurance Company

Vermont Packinghouse

Vermont Precision Tools

Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region

Waitsfield Elementary School

Washington County Mental Health Services