Better Workplaces Tennessee launches workplace recognition program

Better Workplaces Tennessee is committed to applying trauma-informed science and training best practices to revolutionize organizational cultures.

Better Workplaces Tennessee, an innovative, data-driven initiative designed to transform workplace culture, announced its official launch, marking a historic collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Health and the Strong BRAIN Institute at East Tennessee State University. 

Supported by the Appalachian Promise Alliance, internationally recognized author and speaker Becky Haas and the ETSU Research Corporation, this initiative is set to transform workplace experiences for both employees and the people they serve.

Better Workplaces Tennessee is committed to applying trauma-informed science and training best practices to revolutionize organizational cultures, creating safer, more inclusive and empowering work environments. This groundbreaking recognition program aims to cultivate a workplace culture that fosters a highly efficient and productive workforce. The Better Workplaces Tennessee (BWP) Recognition program offers three levels of recognition: Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Distinguished as the only Tennessee Department of Health-endorsed and university-driven workplace designation in the state, this initiative is entirely cost-free for qualifying organizations.

Benefits of becoming a Better Workplace include:

·         Improved employee retention and recruitment, with fewer expenditures needed for training and onboarding.

·         Elevated employee wellness, leading to improved mental and physical health, reduced sick days and lower health care costs.

·         A heightened sense of safety and security through enhanced collaboration and belongingness, as well as more effective systems for soliciting feedback for organizational improvement.

“Workplaces strengthen their relationships with employees by creating healthier environments where employees can perform at their best and commit long-term,” said Terrence Love, TDH injury prevention manager. “The Better Workplaces Silver, Gold and Platinum recognition process will help your workplace accomplish extraordinary things as employees thrive in an atmosphere of excellence.”

Participating organizations will complete a self-evaluation to better align their day-to-day workplace practices with the values of a trauma-informed approach, in such critical development areas as leadership communication, hiring and orientation and organizational protocols and policies, all while developing a psychologically safe work environment.

“In today’s highly competitive talent market, creating an appealing workplace has become a mission-critical imperative, particularly in regions facing pervasive challenges like poverty, addiction, incarceration and under-education,” said Dr. Wally Dixon, psychology professor and founding director of the Strong BRAIN Institute at ETSU. “The Better Workplaces Tennessee Recognition program offers an innovative solution to effectively engage and retain employees while delivering enhanced experiences to the communities they serve.”

For more information about how Better Workplaces Tennessee is transforming workplaces and making a lasting positive impact on employee well-being, satisfaction and productivity across the state, visit betterworkplacestn.org, call (423) 439-2724 or email BWP@etsu.edu. 

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About Better Workplaces Tennessee

Better Workplaces Tennessee is a collaborative initiative between the Tennessee Department of Health and the Strong BRAIN Institute at East Tennessee State University, supported by partners Bristol Promise Alliance, speaker Becky Haas and the ETSU Research Corporation. We are dedicated to utilizing trauma-informed care science to transform organizational cultures and create safer, more inclusive and empowering work environments. 

About Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute (Building Resilience through ACEs Informed Networking)

The Strong BRAIN Institute, founded through a five-year gift from Ballad Health, is the preferred resource for promoting the awareness and empirical study of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); for promoting the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices that prevent, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of ACEs on health and health disparities; and for promoting a trauma-informed citizenry and workforce in the Appalachian Highlands region and beyond.