WELCOA Press Releases
Lincoln, Nebraska Recognized as Well City

Lincoln (NE)-The city of Lincoln, Nebraska has been recognized as a Well City by the Wellness Councils of America. The objective of Well City USA is to unite business communities as a whole in developing and maintaining healthy workforces. Lincoln is the fifth such community to receive this distinction.

Previously, Jacksonville, FL (1995), Chattanooga, TN (1997), Omaha, NE (1996) and Hobart, IN (2000) have attained the award.

Evolving out of the Well Workplace Awards Initiative, which awards individual businesses for their commitment to worksite wellness, the Well City USA project is intended to unite communities as a whole in developing and maintaining healthy workforces.

One of the program requirements is that 20% of a community's working population be employed in either Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze designated workplaces. Well City USA recipients must also strive for broad-based community participation, involving both public and private sector businesses. The community must form a coalition to encourage worksite participation, secure funding to support a project director, and commit to a three-year process in order to achieve the project's goals.

Its philosophy is to aid communities not only by creating a more healthy and productive workforce, but also in acquiring a more competitive edge in new business recruitment. Through its efforts, it also aims to revitalize the current business atmosphere.

Lincoln, a city of about 200,000 has been involved in the Well City process for about three years, and has recruited twenty-seven businesses.

The Well City initiative, guided by Lisa Henning, Worksite Coordinator for WorkWell in Lincoln, relied on the leadership of the Wellness Councils of America, and the willingness of Lincoln's workforce to change. And, over the past three years the project has been very well received. In fact, most businesses involved in the Lincoln Well City initiative were not recruited, but communicated a desire to join the cause after attending Well Workplace Awards ceremonies.

Says Henning, "People are switching jobs these days for reasons other than just money. They're looking for family friendly places that can offer benefits above and beyond a nice salary. What's most commendable is that businesses wanted to do this not only to increase recruitment and retention, but also for the benefit of their employees."

Considering that Nebraska has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, the necessity for companies to build healthy cultures and offer progressive health options comes even more into focus.

But even after this considerable accomplishment, the city is not about to rest. Says Henning, "We don't see this as the end. It is only the beginning. Because of this process we have plans in place that will dramatically affect the health and well-being of employees city-wide."

The award will be presented November 9, at the Downtown Holiday Inn located at 141 North Ninth Street in Lincoln.

Contacts:
Lisa Henning
WorkWell
(402) 441-8045

Bo Abresch
Wellness Councils of America
Phone: (402) 827-3590
Fax: (402) 827-3594
Email: babresch@welcoa.org