Employers across the United States are being invited to take part in a free workplace wellness training programme designed to improve employee health while strengthening business performance.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has announced an upcoming two-day Work@Health training session that aims to help organisations develop practical and sustainable employee wellness programmes. The initiative is intended to address a significant economic issue for businesses: declining productivity linked to employee health concerns.
According to figures highlighted by OSDH, American employers collectively lose between $225 billion and $530 billion annually due to reduced productivity associated with personal and family health issues. Public health officials say that implementing effective workplace wellness initiatives can help mitigate these losses by improving workforce wellbeing and engagement.
The upcoming Work@Health session will take place on March 25–26 at The Well, 210 James Garner Ave., Norman, with training scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. The course is offered at no cost to participating organisations and is open to both public and private sector employers.
The programme is part of a broader effort to help businesses integrate evidence-based health strategies into their workplace policies. Through structured training and practical guidance, employers will learn how to identify health priorities within their workforce and develop programmes that support long-term employee wellbeing.
“Workplace health programs help employees live healthier lives and reduce their risk of chronic disease,” said Work@Health Master Trainer Karin Leimbach. “When employees feel supported at work, morale improves, engagement increases and organizations often see that investment returned through productivity and retention.”
OSDH officials say the programme has already demonstrated measurable reach across the state. Since its introduction in Oklahoma, the initiative has been delivered by two master trainers and five certified trainers, who have worked with 49 employers and reached more than 24,000 employees statewide.
The Work@Health programme focuses on equipping organisations with the tools needed to create structured and measurable wellness initiatives rather than isolated health campaigns. By combining training with ongoing technical support, the programme aims to ensure that employers can design programmes that are both effective and sustainable over time.
Participating organisations will receive guidance on how to evaluate employee health needs, build a strategic case for investing in wellness programmes and implement workplace policies that encourage healthier behaviours. The training also places emphasis on measuring outcomes so businesses can assess whether their initiatives deliver tangible improvements in workforce health and productivity.
Employers attending the session will explore how workplace wellness programmes can address issues such as chronic disease prevention, employee engagement and overall workplace culture. Organisers say such programmes can also contribute to lower healthcare costs and improved staff retention.
To be eligible for the training, organisations must meet several criteria. Businesses must be headquartered in the United States, provide employee health insurance, and employ at least 20 individuals. Each participating organisation may send up to two representatives to attend the two-day course.
During the training, participants will learn how to:
-
Make the business case for workplace wellness
-
Assess employee health needs
-
Design and implement effective wellness policies and programmes
-
Measure outcomes and improve programme quality
-
Build partnerships and community connections to support employee health
Public health officials say that employer-driven health initiatives are increasingly viewed as an important component of preventative healthcare. By embedding wellness strategies directly into the workplace, organisations can play a role in addressing chronic health issues that affect productivity, absenteeism and long-term healthcare expenditure.
For businesses, the programme represents an opportunity to explore practical methods of supporting employee wellbeing without requiring significant upfront investment. For employees, the approach could result in improved health outcomes and a more supportive work environment.
As organisations across industries continue to focus on workforce resilience and productivity, initiatives such as Work@Health highlight the growing recognition that employee wellbeing is closely linked to business performance. With participation open to eligible employers, OSDH hopes the upcoming training session will encourage more organisations to adopt structured wellness programmes that benefit both staff and the bottom line.
