BENTON HARBOR – With health care costs for employer-provided plans continually on the rise, sharing best practices for reducing health care costs in the workplace is needed now more than ever.

That’s why Michigan Works! Business Services will host guest speaker Howard Weyers to present at a free employer event focused on how businesses can reduce their health care costs.

Weyers is a benefit consultant for Meritain Health, the former president and owner of Weyco Inc. and the current president and owner of Health and Benefit Strategy.

His approach to improving employee health and reducing health-related costs for businesses has received international attention – particularly for his innovative lifestyle and tobacco-free workforce programs.

As such, Weyers has been featured on “20/20” with John Stossel, “60 Minutes” with Morley Safer and virtually every major morning TV and radio talk show in the United States. He has also been sought out for interviews and commentary by such prominent publications as the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Harvard Business Review and The Economist.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 11, in the Anchor Rooms of the Michigan Works! Benton Harbor office, 499 W. Main Street.

Employers interested in attending the event should RSVP with Michigan Works! by calling (269) 927-1799, ext. 1110, or e-mailing bowers@miworks.org. Space will be limited to the first 65 respondents.

Michigan Works! is a non-profit workforce development organization providing the skilled workforce necessary to meet the needs of employers.

The organization offers free services to employers and jobseekers and has locations in Benton Harbor, Buchanan, Dowagiac, Niles, Paw Paw and South Haven.

For more information, call 1-800-533-5800 or visit www.miworks.org.