The University of Michigan was recently named one of Michigan’s healthiest employers in a statewide analysis of employers whose policies and practices promote a healthy workforce.
Winners were chosen in two regions, Metro Detroit and Greater Michigan, and five categories based on the number of global employees. U-M was a finalist in the 5,000-plus employees — Metro Detroit category.
Among the key factors cited were:
• Engaging employees through the university’s network of MHealthy Champions, nearly 400 volunteers in departments and units across the university who promote health and wellness programs and motivate their co-workers.
• High participation in health and well-being programs. Approximately 56 percent of U-M’s benefits-eligible faculty and staff participate in MHealthy programs.
• Based on results from health questionnaires and wellness screening, U-M’s progress toward reducing the level of health risk in the employee population and having a positive impact on the health care cost trend of participants versus non-participants.
• The success of Active U, MHealthy’s 12-week physical activity challenge, which saw more than 16,000 participants in 2013.
• Use of technology to offer webinars and other online programs in order to engage more participants.
• Targeting employee wellness by subsidizing weight-loss programs, telephone coaching and wellness screenings.
• Labeling healthier food choices in university cafeterias and vending machines, and offering farmers’ markets and chef demonstrations.
• Offering new programs such as back care and stress management, developed based on health questionnaire data, which showed these were high risk areas for employees.
• Use of social media to engage employees and build community.
“It’s an honor to be recognized among so many great wellness programs in Michigan,” says LaVaughn Palma-Davis, senior director of university health and well-being services. “Our work toward making the health of our faculty and staff a core value of the university and a part of our daily practices and business objectives has started to pay off.
“Recent analyses indicate progress in reducing the level of health risks among our population, which can translate into both direct and indirect savings, improved health, quality of life, and feeling your very best.”
Nominations were analyzed by national data research firm Healthiest Employers LLC in six categories: culture and leadership commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, communication and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analysis.
Michigan’s Healthiest Employers is sponsored by Crain’s Detroit News, MiBiz and Priority Health. U-M will now be considered for the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America award, which honors employers of all sizes, all industries and all regions across the country. Winners will be announced in January.
