Overland Park named a healthiest employer

The Kansas City Business Journal has named the City of Overland Park one of the healthiest employers in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Each year, the journal works with research company Healthiest Employers LLC to assess local organizations based on the culture, planning, communication, programming and reporting of their wellness programs.

This year, the journal recognized the City of Overland Park’s wellness program, which features an on-site clinic and access to behavioral health specialists, stress reduction and mindfulness programs, in-person health coaching, weight loss challenges and programming, and more, for City staff.

“I’m so proud of our team, working to implement the programs and services it takes to receive a recognition like this,” said City Manager Bill Ebel. “Focusing on the health and safety of our employees is just one way the City of Overland Park is implementing the ‘well-being’ priority of the community’s vision, Forward OP.”

Forward OP, a comprehensive community visioning project and plan, lays out strategies for the community’s well-being, including programs, policies and projects related to mental and physical wellness.

The Healthiest Employers rankings also highlighted the City’s efforts to adapt many of these important initiatives to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing virtual options for employees to engage in their own healthcare.

These include extending the wellness program to focus on financial wellness as well, so City employees can emerge from the pandemic in a better position than before.

“We want to invest in a future workforce team that is dedicated, engaged, healthy and ready for work physically, mentally and financially,” Ebel said.