A nourished workforce is a stronger workforce

December 06, 2024

On a physician’s chart you may see the term “WDWN", an abbreviation meaning a patient is "well-developed, well-nourished.” In business, how do you know if your employees are well-developed and well nourished? Just as a doctor assesses a patient's overall health, good business leaders should evaluate the well-being of their employees.

According to social entrepreneur, Tyler Norris, in an interview with McKinsey Health Institute, “I think that’s what spirituality and health look like — belonging, a place to express purpose, the ability to experience awe and wonder, and to serve. To bring back who we are in a meaningful way to our community.”

Employees want to be proud of their companies. When they see their collective well-being, philanthropy, and community engagement are priorities, they tend to be more engaged at work.

Focused on the mission

“Supporting nonprofits and causes that team members care about can engage employees, motivate them to be more productive at work, and increase their overall job satisfaction,” said Juan Chaluja, Senior Vice President, Florida Blue Commercial Markets. “Being mission-based or mission-focused and giving back to the community can not only increase sales, but it can also improve a company’s reputation.” 

"Employees who feel heard are more engaged and effective in their roles. They're also more emotionally invested in the company and its future," added Chaluja.

As a mission-based organization, GuideWell and its affiliate, Florida Blue, are driven by a mission to help people and communities achieve better health. Among other community impact efforts, Florida Blue launched its Growing Resilient Communities initiative in 2021, which aims to break the cycle of generational poverty in targeted underserved zip codes across Florida’s major markets.

“Growing Resilient Communities leverage our company’s core competencies, strengths, and assets into existing initiatives to end the cycle of generational poverty in these communities,” said Tony Jenkins, Market President, Central Region.

“A person’s health should not be determined by their demographics or geography, but often is,” added Jenkins. “We’re addressing social determinants of health at a hyper-local level — down to the zip code — to create unique solutions that meet the needs of these unique communities.

In Central Florida, Florida Blue’s Growing Resilient Communities collaborates with Lift Orlando. Florida Blue is working to revitalize the Communities of West Lake, which consists of five historically known and celebrated, largely populated Black communities, including a $2 million investment to build the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center to bring access to health care, jobs and support in the entrepreneurial space.

Engaged teams fuel profitable businesses

According to a recent Gallup report, highly engaged teams are 21% more profitable. In fact, teams that scored in the top 20% in engagement had a 41% reduction in absenteeism and 59% less turnover. The survey went on to uncover that employees who feel they are heard at work are almost five times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work. (Source: Forbes)

As part of the company’s commitment to helping people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue joins forces with trusted organizations to drive health care affordability, tackle social determinants, and uncover local barriers to health. The company is dedicated to addressing the whole person health and social needs of all — including its employees along with the businesses and their employees who live and work in the communities Florida Blue serves.