PLATTSBURGH — Employers can take a step toward a healthier work environment with an upcoming workshop on how simple changes to a work site can improve employee health.
The Clinton County Health Department will host the four-hour workshop "Working Our Way to Employee Health" later this month.
"The most important assets for any employer are the employees," said Laurie Williams, education coordinator for the Health Department. "With increased rates in obesity, diabetes, strokes and other illnesses, we know how important it is to have a healthy workforce. Employees spend a great deal of their time at the work site, so that is a good place to start."
The workshop, to be held at The Development Corp. on Banker Road in Plattsburgh, will focus on simple and easy changes that workplaces can make to encourage employees to lead a healthier lifestyle.
"Nobody's talking about putting in gyms at the workplace or obtaining membership fees at wellness centers," Williams said. "These are simple changes that can be initiated easily."
VENDING MACHINES
One area that can be targeted for simple changes is vending machines.
"We'll talk about how to provide employees with more healthy choices," Williams said. "It can be done simply by moving items in the vending machines so that healthier choices are more prominent."
The Health Department recently completed a two-year pilot study at Schonbek in Plattsburgh, and Williams said the company was very pleased with efforts to emphasize a healthy work environment.
"It was a very successful venture, one we want to share with other businesses in the county."
Other local organizations — including CVPH Medical Center, the Wellness Center at PARC and the City of Plattsburgh Recreation Center — have also utilized strategies to expand healthy choices in their vending machines.
The workshop will include information on how to strengthen choices by switching to low-fat and non-fat milk, increasing the options for bottled water, using flavored water without sugar and including low-calorie sports drinks.
Baked chips, pretzels and popcorn can be healthier choices than regular chips and candy bars. Granola bars, trail mixes, graham crackers and dried fruit can also improve the employees' snack options while offering tasty choices.
TESTIMONIALS
The workshop will look at how businesses can get started on a healthy work site without spending a lot of money. A panel discussion will feature people from local organizations that have already taken steps to emphasize a healthy work environment.
A handful of businesses have already signed up for the workshop, though the Health Department is hoping to include between 20 and 25 businesses in the free presentation.
Employers do not need to represent their company, Williams noted. Anyone in a company who is interested in a healthy work site can do so and can bring information back to the company that can be put to practice.
"These changes can happen very easily," Williams said. "When we make healthy choices at work, that can translate into a healthy lifestyle at home."
FUNDING
The free workplace training is supported by grants from the New York State Association of County Health Officials, the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Community Chronic Disease Prevention and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Email Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
