The last few years have fostered an increase in the number of people working from home, and this has had a significant impact on work-life balance, as the physical boundaries between work and home have blurred. In this new hybrid work environment, it’s now more important than ever for employers to ensure their employees feel supported and valued.

Recently, more than 350 people came together at the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Healthy Worksite Summit to discuss the importance of healthy workplaces. For over 35 years, the summit has convened public and private sector employers to learn, share, and explore ways to create a workplace where people can connect and thrive.

As summit cosponsors and planners in 2023, AWC and the Washington State Health Care Authority gathered speakers to address the health care challenges facing today’s diverse workplace – navigating burnout, managing mental health, and integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into workplace initiatives. Employers of every size and location in our great state learned, shared, and inspired each other around the benefits of employee wellness programs. By taking care of each other and ourselves, we can collectively aspire to a healthier workplace and higher quality of life.

It was clear that many employers are already committed to wellness recognizing the benefits that come with supporting their employees' well-being.

Studies from the AWC Employee Benefit Trust show that prioritizing employee health and well-being has resulted in a 4% reduction in members’ health care spending. Additionally, when employees feel that their employer cares about them, it leads to higher rates of engagement, productivity, and retention, along with lower rates of burnout and hostility. These benefits not only improve the experience for Washington residents – they also positively impact an organization’s bottom line.

Whole-person wellness includes nutrition and physical activity, but it also includes mental and emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, and having a sense of purpose. It's important that employers recognize and support all aspects of wellness for their employees.

At the state level, the Health Care Authority’s Smart Health program provides more than 300,000 employees with access to premium discounts for taking care of their health and well-being. This program is a great example of how employers can support employee wellness. Employers can also help their employees achieve financial wellness by providing a living wage.

This year, let's make healthy workplaces a priority. By creating new partnerships and building on current ones between the public and private sectors, we can move deeper into a culture of health. Let's join together to prioritize healthy workplaces for all employees in Washington!

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The AWC Employee Benefit Trust is the premier health benefit provider for cities, towns, and local government agencies in Washington. The Trust provides a broad selection of benefit insurance options and health management programs for members. The Trust’s mission is to provide quality benefit programs and insurance services to Washington cities and towns in an efficient and cost-effective manner through timely information, technical assistance, member education, and advocacy.

The Health Care Authority (HCA) purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, HCA leads the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.