Health Links [HL]:What does being a healthy workplace mean to your organization?  

Monument Health [MH]: While we view our purpose as managing and promoting a healthy community, we believe we cannot adequately do this if we don’t first take care of ourselves. If we are not able to set an example and influence employee health, then we will not be able to do it effectively in the community.  

HL: How does your organization create a culture of health, safety, and well-being for employees?  

MH: Monument Health has a small team. Our wellness program, “Wellness Warriors,” helps us promote a new health topic every month among the employees, including mental health, hydration, and stress management. It also serves as an outlet to get involved in the community. Last quarter, we were able to help a local community organization deliver meals to home-bound seniors on Christmas Eve.   

We believe that wellness is an ongoing conversation and a constant balance between work, school, and personal life. We have worked to create an environment through our culture and core values where employees are encouraged to be transparent and honest about what they need.  

HL: How has Health Links helped your organization?  

MH: Health Links was originally introduced to us as a resource, but since we recently came up for our annual renewal, we have been able to re-engage. Working with our advisor, David, proved how helpful it was to have an external voice. He talked us through ideas for how to engage employees in our wellness program, as well as simplify our program to better fit the size and capacity of our organization. Previously, we had a robust wellness program, but given that we only have seven employees, it was difficult to maintain. For us, Health Links has served as a trusted source to provide education and resources for our monthly health topics.  

HL: What changes have you seen among your employees, their families, or the surrounding community as a result of your program(s)?  

MH: Through our Wellness Warriors program, employees are able to share pictures of how they are staying healthy and well. We have been able to do team building events, such as rock climbing at a local gym and participating in local community events, allowing us to support not only our employees, but also our members and healthcare providers. By having a consistent mentality of overall well-being, our workplace has become a dedicated space for talking about wellness and promoting health for ourselves.  

HL: What tips/pieces of advice would you give to a business looking to create a healthier, safer, and happier environment?  

MH: Culture is a big part of creating a healthy work environment. Culture allows employees to feel that they are in a safe environment that encourages them to share and participate in taking ownership of their health. Understand what you might be able to learn from one another and accept that it’s ok to not always be ok. Focus on making health and safety fun, but also understand the underlying science — the why and how it works.