Why Wellness

You told us, and we listened!

In May 2008, 71 Howard County employees participated in seven focus group sessions. Participants told us what they thought:

• They would like to incorporate wellness/fitness into their work day.
• Wellness has many advantages, including happiness, longer life span, and reduced sick days.
• Some common goals include losing weight and eating more healthfully, preventing heart disease, and being well both physically and mentally.
• A supportive environment, confidentiality, flexibility, incentives, and consistent communication are keys to success.

Evidence shows us that employees who participate in wellness programs enjoy:

• Improved health and well-being
• An enhanced quality of life
• Increased ability to cope with stress
• Increased job satisfaction, productivity, and effectiveness
• Lower health care costs

Howard County Government and allied agencies aim to:

• Reduce absenteeism, injuries, and turnover
• Save on health care costs without shifting costs to employees
• Provide the best service possible to our citizens as a result of happy and productive employees
• Become a model health care community