The YMCA of Hagerstown partners with Healthy Washington County to present the Healthy Business Challenge.

This challenge is an opportunity for organizations in Washington County to implement activities to support the Go for Bold initiative and the goal of losing 1 million pounds as a community by 2030.

The workplace is a perfect platform for fostering positive behaviors that can improve individual health as well as collective results for the community. The Healthy Business Challenge is a way to support employers to develop wellness plans, implement activities, empower employees to make informed decisions, and create a conducive environment for healthy changes.

There are many motivations for an employer to focus on workplace wellness: reduce health care costs, increase productivity and employee morale, and decrease absenteeism and presenteeism. For many business owners, investing in their employee’s health is more than just a return on investment. They truly care about their employees’ well-being. A good place to start when implementing workplace wellness activities is to get feedback from employees about their needs and interests.

Challenge criteria have been developed in three categories: Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Overall Wellness. Businesses can select criteria they plan to implement from these lists or create their own ideas. The challenge is annual, so workplaces can build on their offerings each year.  All businesses achieving a minimum of 10 points/category will receive a Healthy Business designation.

There are four size categories: very small (1-24 employees), small (25-99 employees), medium (100-399 employees), and large (400+ employees). After the challenge, awards will be presented to those businesses achieving the highest number of points in each size category and that go above and beyond in creating a healthier business environment.

If you have any questions, please contact Mariel Beachley at [email protected] or 240-313-3246.

Kick off your company’s wellness efforts by downloading a sample of the Healthy Business Challenge Criteria to help you create a wellness plan that fits the needs of your business and employees.