The Monett R-1 School District joined a growing number of Missouri businesses by becoming an awardee of the Missouri Silver Level Workplace Wellness Award. Monett R-1 proactively supports employees who choose to make decisions to positively support their health. They provide wellness accommodations to help employees make the healthy choice the easy choice. Employers who provide these supports see a positive impact on their business’s bottom line.
Employers that provide wellness accommodations report higher employee retention, lower absenteeism and presenteeism, higher morale, greater productivity, a safer work environment, and reduced health care costs. Many studies have also shown improved employee job satisfaction.
“Worksite wellness programs are a growing trend in businesses today focusing on multiple dimensions of well-being as a means of improving quality of life for employees,” said Alex Severs, Monett R-1 Wellness Coordinator.
Topics covered in worksite wellness generally focus on chronic disease prevention (like heart disease, diabetes, cancer) and target changes that make it easier to be physically active, eat healthy, and improve spiritual, emotional, and social wellbeing. Most adults spend at least 1/3 of their day at work, so it’s important there are healthy opportunities and choices in the workplace.
The Missouri Workplace Wellness Award is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MOCAN) and the University of Missouri Extension. The program aims to bring an increased awareness about the importance of worksite wellness for employees. The program recognizes employers with policies supportive of employee health and wellness. Health-related policies are formal written statements that are designed to protect or promote employee health such as a tobacco free policy or policy allowing employees to engage in wellness activities on work time.
“We want our employees to know that we support their decision to make healthy choices,” said Mark Drake, Superintendent of Monett R-1 Schools. “We are extremely pleased to be designated as a Missouri Workplace Wellness Silver Level award.”
For more information on the Missouri Workplace Wellness Award program, visit the program’s website, https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/workplace-wellness.