SHIP and Workplaces

Many adults spend the better part of their day working, so creating or improving healthy options in the workplace is critical to improving health in our community. Additionally, employers that offer a workplace wellness policy or program are more attractive to perspective employees and save money through lower insurance costs, increased productivity and decreased absenteeism.

SHIP partners with local workplaces to surround employees with healthy options. We do this by first focusing on the following foundational elements which become the backbone of a comprehensive and sustainable workplace wellness program:

  • Leadership support
  • Wellness Committee
  • Organizational self-assessment
  • Wellness brand/logo and vision statement
  • Budget
  • SMARTIE Goals
  • Communications plan
  • Employee Engagement Plan
New SHIP logo

Healthy Eating at Work

Goal: Healthy foods are more available and less expensive than unhealthy foods.

  • Healthy Meeting Guidelines
  • Healthy Catering Guidelines
  • Healthy Vending Guide
  • Healthy Snack Stations
  • Healthy Cafeterias
  • Learning Opportunities about Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Cooking
  • Healthy Hydration
  • Workplace Gardens for staff or for donating

Commercial Tobacco-Free Workplaces

Goal: Provide tobacco- and smoke-free buildings, grounds and company vehicles, with a strong cessation support system

  • Developing and adopting a tobacco-free grounds policy
  • Implementing and enforcing a tobacco-free grounds policy
  • Offering cessation support and learning opportunities

Lactation Support at Work

Goal: Employees who are breastfeeding are supported in their efforts to give their baby the best start!

  • Support: Enact policies and practices to support employees; share local support resources with employees
  • Time: Provide work schedule flexibility to accommodate reasonable break times for employees
  • Education: Educate decision makers, supervisors and all employees about the policy and how to support co-workers
  • Place: Create and maintain designated and supportive Lactation Room(s)
  • Apply for recognition as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace

Active Living at Work

Goal: have time, space, and practices in place to encourage being physically active throughout the day

  • Support opportunities for physical activity (such as walking meetings, mapping walking routes, encouraging active breaks)
  • Create places for indoor and/or outdoor activity (such as bike racks, a bicycle library, standing work stations, stretching/workout spaces with equipment, posters, videos and/or classes, basketball hoop, pickle ball court, etc.)
  • Apply for recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Business
  • Adopt a Physical Activity Policy or Guideline, considering things like flexible scheduling and dress code (as able)
  • Offer learning opportunities related to physical activity

To learn more about Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website. 

For more about SHIP in Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, and Waseca counties, follow us on Facebook or contact Kristen Friedrichs 507-934-7221.