IL: MTD Receives Healthy Worksite Designation

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) received a bronze level Illinois Healthy Worksite Designation July 1.

The Illinois Healthy Worksite Designation was created in 2014 to recognize workplaces with healthy practices that benefit both employers and employees. The designation is sponsored by the Governor's Council on Health and Fitness, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The three-year award will be recognized state-wide and MTD will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Governor's Office.

MTD was one of six Champaign County employers to apply for a Healthy Worksite award. There were 58 applications submitted statewide. Out of that pool of applicants, four received gold level recognition, nine qualified at the silver level, and 15, including MTD, were designated bronze-level qualifiers. Tara McCauley, special projects coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District stated, "There are many employers in Champaign County who are doing incredible work to promote the health of their employees...Worksites are an essential place to intervene in the health of our community, and these employers can share how healthy employees also make organizations stronger and more productive."

MTD's Wellness Committee is chaired by Stuart Smith, Illinois terminal director, and is staffed by volunteer MTD employees. The committee manages MTD's on-site fitness center available to MTD employees and their families for a monthly fee. Programs available through the fitness center encourage participation and exercise through various incentive packages. A fitness trainer is available for consultation and to help employees customize their workout routine to fit their personal needs. The fitness center and its activities are funded by employee contributions.