Northeast Oklahoma health departments are helping businesses improve the health and wellness of their employees.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health wants to promote employee health not only to keep more people healthy, but also to help businesses stay open.
CDC launched Work@Health in 2015 and introduced it to Oklahoma in 2019. Companies that participate in the program are provided with tools and resources to build health and wellness programs or improve existing ones.
Chrissy Swift, health educator for the Rogers County Health Department, said businesses that participate in programs like Work@Health show they care about their employees.
“Employers, if they have a program like this, can use it as a resource tool, or as a tool to retain current employees or to recruit new employees who say they value their employees,” Swift said.
Swift also said that implementing wellness programs for companies can have a significant impact on employees’ professional and personal lives.
“When employees are able to focus on their health and wellness, they are more productive because they are making fewer phone calls. They’re also more focused and more engaged at work,” Swift said.
Businesses in District 4 counties, including Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Wagoner and Washington counties, can participate in a two-day in-person training program in July.
To be eligible, employers must be headquartered in the U.S., offer health insurance and employ at least 20 employees.
Interested businesses can contact the Rogers County Health Department for more information.
