FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2005

MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Janet Franz, Public Relations Chair
wordsmithproductions@earthlink.net
(802) 985-9929, cell (802) 238-8182

Governor Douglas to Recognize Businesses That Promote Employee Health

In May 2005, Governor Jim Douglas and the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports will recognize businesses and institutions that provide resources for employees to build better health on and off the job. For the past 11 years, these annual awards have honored small and large worksites that support access to physical activity and help build a healthy Vermont workforce. Successful worksites reap the benefits of such efforts in lower health care costs, greater productivity, stronger employee retention, better hiring pools and less absenteeism.

Small and large businesses, institutions and agencies are encouraged to apply by filling out an application. The applications are due by March 15. Download an application from www.vermontfitness.org/awards or write to wellness@vtmednet.org.

Worksites that received recognition in 2004 include:

• Vermont Country Store. This southern Vermont retailer instituted an integrated wellness and health insurance program, Prime Care Choice, that has been a model for other businesses in Vermont. VCS also provides many on-site initiatives to motivate their employees to improve their health. Free water and healthy snacks are among the perks.
• Mylan Technologies, Inc. A quarter of the 330 employees of this St. Albans company engage in lifestyle change programs each year, including weight loss, blood pressure management, cholesterol reduction, and smoking cessation and fitness initiatives. Efforts are supported through home mailings, self-care training, and newsletters. The wellness program is fully integrated with wellness benefit incentives and evaluations.
• Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. CVPS has motivated teams, individuals and families to work together to achieve a goal to walk the length of the power lines, 7833 miles. Their program stretches beyond walking, with educational programs, a nurse help line, newsletter and emails as well as incentives.
• Rutland Plywood. The wellness goal at Rutland Plywood is to reduce cardiovascular disease among its employees by supporting individuals to be smoke-free, exercise and eat well. Educational sessions, walking programs and incentives are ways this company hopes to achieve a healthy workforce while impacting the bottom-line.
• Omya Industries, Inc. Omya Industries launched a pedometer-walking program as a pilot program at the Florence site. The program has been very successful with all employees, including senior management. Lectures, health screenings, community service are all the components that create a winning program. Omya's mission is to have healthy employees building camaraderie in the workplace, which helps reduce stress and injuries.