Massachusetts Has 4 Of The ‘Healthiest’ Places To Work In U.S.
How is your work environment? Would you describe it as a healthy one? If you work in the Bay State, you could be at one of the top spots in this category. In fact, Massachusetts has 4 of the “healthiest” places to work in the U.S.
As reported in The Patch, an online survey by Healthiest Employers named the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Awards. They used criteria like wellness programming, tuition reimbursement, and other factors. Basically, it’s for companies that take a “more proactive approach to employee health.” They also take into account social determinants, like where you were born, live, went to school and healthcare access.
Funny, when I think of employee health, I think of the companies who offer good benefits. But, it seems this list is for companies that go beyond that. What about naptime for employees, and healthy snacks? If we all just went back to kindergarten basics, the world would be a better place, don’t you think?
What Makes These Places The Healthiest?
But let’s get real and down to the winners in Massachusetts. By the way, companies all over the country made this list, from California to Boston. And they represent companies of all sizes. Each employer was evaluated in 6 categories: “Culture and leadership commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, communications marketing, programming and intervention, and reporting and analytics.”
Here are some interesting numbers from this year’s winners:
- 97% provide tuition reimbursement opportunities to their employees
- 96% are incorporating Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) into their programs
- 90% have a formal mentoring program in place to help employees advance in the workplace
- 81% of companies are on a hybrid schedule, while 19% are completely in-person (0 are fully remote)
- 78% offer paid maternity leave of some sort
- 23% have implemented company-wide no-meeting days/times each week
Based on all that, Massachusetts has 4 Of The ‘Healthiest’ Places To Work In U.S.. Here they are:
- ZOLL Medical Corp. in Chelmsford at No. 55 (5,243 employees)
- Eversource Energy in Westwood at No. 69 (9,458 employees)
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester at No. 73 (4,529 employees)
- College of the Holy Cross in Worcester at No. 91 (1,102 employees)
9 Office Behaviors You Should Definitely Skip
Oversharing Too Much Personal Information
At the office, it’s usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you’re in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it’s an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don’t hesitate to let the right people know.
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Unspoken Office Food Rules
In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it’s just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it’s a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else’s food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don’t forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn’t pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it’s popping.
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Personal Grooming
While it’s great to stay fresh and clean at work, you’d typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.
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Unnecessary Noise
In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It’s a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.
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Messy Workspace
Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn’t want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.
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Poor Hygiene
Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it’s all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.
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Personal Space & Boundaries
Whether you’re in an open office or a cubicle doesn’t matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues’ belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.
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Overdoing It With Foul Language
While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can’t predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it’s a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It’s just safer and smoother that way.
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Leaving It How You Found It
Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it’s a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It’s a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.
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