The Corridor Worksite Wellness Awards is offering free workplace wellness assessment services to all employers in Linn and Johnson Counties. Nominations are being accepted now through November 14, 2014. The awards will be presented at the Corridor Business Journal’s Health Care Summit in February 2014. There are no required criteria to be considered for the award and worksites can nominate themselves.
Nominated workplaces receive a free assessment examining the work environment and wellness policies. A report of findings, recommendations and worksite wellness resources are provided to every participating worksite after the assessment. Smaller worksites and worksites that are just beginning their worksite wellness programs are encouraged to participate and take advantage of the free assessment and technical assistance. “Everyone is concerned about health care costs. Worksites are an essential partner to address chronic disease and promote healthy behaviors. This is a great opportunity for worksites to learn more about their current efforts and how they can help employees be healthier and more productive,” says Rich Good with the Linn County Board of Health.
The size category guidelines for participating worksites have changed from previous years. Worksites will now be defined by the size of the company (not just the individual site). In addition, a few changes have been made to the assessment process for worksites that participated last year, to speed up the assessment time. There are a few new questions on the assessment this year as well.
The awards recognize workplaces that foster a supportive environment for employee health. Fifty five worksites participated in last year’s awards ceremony. Awards are divided into five categories based on employer size. An additional award is also given to the worksite with the most improved score. The Award winners from 2014 were: Marion Hy-Vee (Most Improved Score); City of Cedar Rapids Central Fire Station (Best Overall Score, <50 Employees); Lil’ Drug Store(Best Overall Score, 50-99 Employees); Midwest Metal Products (Best Overall Score, 100-249 Employees); City of Cedar Rapids City Services Center (Best Overall Score, 250-750 Employees); and Mercy Medical Center (Best Overall Score, >750 Employees).
Nomination forms are available for download directly at http://ia-linncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2321, at www.corridorbusiness.com/, www.linncounty.org/health, www.johnson-county.com/health, or by request by calling (319) 892-6065 or emailing [email protected] The deadline for nominations is November 14, 2014. Assessment appointments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
ABOUT THE CORRIDOR WORKSITE WELLNESS COMMITTEE – The assessment process is overseen by the Corridor Worksite Wellness Committee, which includes leaders from a number of organizations in Linn and Johnson Counties. The committee consists of members from the Area Substance Abuse Council, CarePro Health Services, Health Solutions, Johnson County Public Health, Linn County Board of Health, Linn County Public Health, Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids, and the University of Iowa Healthier Workforce Center for Excellence. The committee meets regularly to plan the Corridor Worksite Wellness Awards and oversee the assessment process.
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