Newton County has raised the bar for workplace well-being, securing the distinguished Aetna Platinum Award for its holistic approach to staff health and engagement. Celebrating their people-first strategy that caters to the diverse needs of nearly 760 employees, the county's initiatives span across physical, mental, financial, and social well-being.
The Aetna Platinum Award, a testament to Newton County’s steadfast commitment to workplace wellness, places them at the pinnacle of a national competition that stacks entries from all sectors. It's a jump from the previous year, where the county was recognized with the Bronze award, now progressing to Platinum, according to a recent announcement. In the health department, these folks don't just walk the talk—they walk-a-thon, a keystone event, along with "Lunch & Learn" sessions for men’s health and challenges designed to keep the body in motion and the spirit invigorated.
Mental and emotional well-being is critical too, and in Newton County, the use of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) speaks to that, showing a striking 92% utilization rate. These measures, combined with financial literacy sessions aimed at empowering fiscal prudence and partnerships with local businesses that hook up discounts, embody a comprehensive view of what it means to mind the entirety of one’s workforce. And not just for their labor, but for their personhood and their role within the wider community tapestry.
Dr. Amanda Shoemaker, the county's Human Resources Director, credited the collective effort and specifically highlighted HR Specialist Marissa Gray for transforming ideas into tangible outcomes. "This Platinum honor belongs to every Newton County employee who shows up for one another—every day," Shoemaker told the county news center. Newton County's recipe for success also stirs in social and community well-being with events like the County Manager’s “September to Remember” Employee Picnic and the support of the Book Bus initiative.
Newton County, now twice recognized for their strides in workplace well-being, not only proves it's a place where employees thrive, but also that it is a place where service to the community benefits from this thriving. Dr. Shoemaker's invitation for job seekers to consider Newton County is more than a call for applicants—it's an offer to join a place that one can feel like home, where employees are valued beyond their workstations.
