UnitedHealthcare Recognizes Vernon Hills Company for Successful Worksite Wellness Program
UnitedHealthcare has announced the winners of its "Well Deserved" award, an annual honor given to employers that have implemented innovative, industry-leading worksite wellness programs that helped improve their employees' health and well-being.
With the encouragement and participation of a senior leadership team that "walks the talk," Vernon Hills, Ill.-based American Hotel Register Company has created a culture of wellness that includes a dedicated wellness committee, creative programs, and an onsite nurse liaison from UnitedHealthcare.
American Hotel Register Company's wellness program is branded Life Essentials and its wellness committee plans programs around nutrition, fitness and financial wellness. Key components of the program include free activity trackers, weight loss challenges, stress management and bringing mindfulness and meditation classes to associates. The company has an onsite fitness center, offers free yoga classes and runs ping pong tournaments. Produce from an onsite organic garden (tended to by associates) is used in the company's café, where healthy choices are offered daily. Also, it is not uncommon to see senior leaders and managers integrate wellness into the workday by conducting walking meetings.
In 2014, the company experienced a flat medical trend as a result of its well-rounded and robust program that has created a positive working environment.
Other organizations in Illinois earning a "Well Deserved" award include:
• Medline; Mundelein, Ill.
• SIRVA; Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, worksite wellness programs "can improve employee satisfaction, reduce stress, decrease absenteeism and increase productivity." UnitedHealthcare data reveal that worksite wellness programs may result in lower medical costs and better primary and preventive health care decisions for employees who participate.
"UnitedHealthcare congratulates these companies for encouraging a culture of health at their workplaces and helping their employees live healthier lives," said Colleen Van Ham, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois and Northwest Indiana. "A healthier and more engaged workforce can lead to better health as well as increased employee satisfaction and productivity."
This is UnitedHealthcare's seventh year of recognizing employer customers with "Well Deserved" awards for their outstanding health and wellness programs, working with an external broker review panel to review and judge all applicants.