Employee Engagement is Key to Success

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff

Workplace wellness programs have been around for decades, but the workplace has changed. And to respond to the growing interests of local employers, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation and local healthcare providers have created Working Well, a new well-being initiative to bring resources to companies big and small.

The first idea sparked when some local businesses reached out to 5HF to ask what they could do to respond to employee needs. Many companies are already actively engaged - hosting wellness fairs, fitness challenges, mental health breaks, lunch-time yoga – all to encourage employees that work/life balance is important and essential. When the local chambers of commerce agreed to introduce Working Well to its members in January 2023, that’s when the momentum started to build.

“Employee engagement is key to success,” said Terris Ahrens, Executive Director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber agreed to support this initiative because it’s a win-win for our members and their workforce.”

Working Well envisions a local culture of wellness focused on increased conversations in the work setting about both physical health and mental well-being. Encouraging employees to ask for help when they need it, and promoting informational and fun activities that can be held virtually, onsite, or on personal time, provides many opportunities to support a healthy company culture, all at minimal cost.

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff