By Kenya Godette
Old Dominion University was named in the 2024 Healthiest Employers of Virginia rankings. The University was ranked fourth in the “1,000 to 4,999 Employees” category and the only higher education institution ranked in the state.
The Healthiest Employers rankings acknowledge companies for a commitment to workplace wellness and excellence in health and benefits offerings. Organizations are graded using six pillars that assess targeted programs that address health needs and wellbeing; infrastructure that supports and sustains these programs; the use of data to evaluate program effectiveness; promotion techniques for health programs; leadership’s dedication to fostering workplace wellness; and how initiatives align with long-term goals to promote employee health.
ODU’s faculty and staff programs like on-campus health screenings, flu shot clinics, mental health resources, mobile mammograms and wellness fairs create a comprehensive set of offerings that contributes to its status as a top healthy employer.
According to Kim Butler, benefits specialist, a holistic and proactive approach to employee wellbeing directly impacts an organization’s productivity, culture and success – creating a positive environment where employees can thrive.
“When employees feel valued, supported and healthy, they are more engaged, productive, and loyal, which reduces turnover and enhances team morale,” she said.
The employee benefits website’s “Own Your Wellness” page outlines a variety of financial, emotional, social, physical and occupational health options.
The emotional wellness category offers services like confidential counseling and referral services under the Employee Assistance Program and resources for stress and anxiety reduction. For physical health, employees can take advantage of recreation and wellness resources like gym memberships and personal trainers and new moms can utilize lactation rooms throughout campus. Financial wellness offers benefits like investment guidance and employee discounts while social wellness includes employee resource groups that promote diversity and community.
Butler believes that the University’s investment in these kinds of programs underscores their commitment and “genuine care” about their workforce’s quality of life.
An increasingly popular occupational health initiative is the Tuition Assistance program. Just this year, 290 employees and 158 dependents were enrolled, generating 2,227 credit hours applied toward degree-seeking programs.
“This initiative not only alleviates the financial burden of education but also encourages continuous learning and development,” said September Sanderlin, vice president for Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Interested qualifying employees are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2025 spring semester while there’s time. The application period closes Dec. 2.
“By prioritizing education, health and wellbeing, we strive to maintain a thriving, engaged and productive workforce, making our University a leader in employee wellness in the higher education sector,” Sanderlin said.