The city of Mill Creek received the Association of Washington Cities WellCity Award during the organization’s annual conference in Ocean Shores recently.
The award is given by the association’s Employee Benefit Trust to recognize cities that reach a pre-determined standard of excellence in employee health promotion.
To meet the award criteria, cities must demonstrate that their program has the support and involvement of elected officials, management and employees. Cities must develop and follow an operating plan that considers the needs and interest of employees. It must provide a variety of health awareness information, educational opportunities, behavior change programs and a work environment promoting healthy lifestyles. Cities must also have a way to measure the program’s success.
“Some benefits of employee wellness programs include improved morale, increased productivity, reduced use of sick leave, reduced workers compensation claims and reduced health care costs,” said Paul Chasco, the association’s assistant director for insurance services. “Wellness programs such as Mill Creek’s help the city operate more efficiently and contribute to maintaining affordable health care coverage for all AWC insured cities and employees.”
Mill Creek was one of 22 cities in Washington to receive recognition for its workplace health programs and one of two from Snohomish County. The other was Arlington.
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