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WELCOA
Press Releases
Wellness Councils
of America
Lists Nation's Healthiest Companies
Omaha (NE)-Highsmith
Inc., located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, has become the first
company nationally to receive the Platinum Well Workplace Award
from the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA). Highsmith, a long
time leader in worksite health promotion and two-time recipient
of the Gold Well Workplace Award, was honored as a result of their
unparalleled dedication and innovative approach to wellness at the
worksite.
Highsmith,
which employs over 300 workers and is the nations leading mail order
supplier to schools and libraries, became intensely interested in
health and wellness over a decade ago. A 53% increase in their company
health insurance premiums sparked this interest, and prompted Highsmith
to "manage health care and not let health care manage them."
Today the company
is a pioneer in creating healthy employees and a healthy corporate
culture. From the one-mile walking trail that winds through the
company property, to the multitude of classes offered through it's
on-site "mini-university," it is evident that Highsmith's
position as the leader in worksite wellness will not soon be in
jeopardy.
After leading
the way in worksite wellness for so many years, it is only appropriate
that Highsmith be the inaugural recipient of the Platinum Well Workplace
Award. Says WELCOA president David Hunnicutt, "From CEO Duncan
Highsmith to forward thinking HR VP Bill Herman to each and every
employee, Highsmith is really what workplace wellness is all about.
The bottom line is this: Highsmith, Inc. is a gem of a company with
a remarkable approach to workplace wellness. That's why we've selected
them as the best of the best."
Becoming a Platinum Award winning company is only achieved through
hard work and dedication. Companies must first achieve the Gold
Well Workplace status. This Gold achievement is no small undertaking,
requiring installation of comprehensive programs that produce measurable
results and are an integral part of the business.
In surpassing
the Gold standards, Platinum winners must forge new ground in worksite
wellness, creating their own visions that eclipse the standards
set by WELCOA. They must pave new avenues toward wellness and show
an unwavering commitment to building and maintaining world class
wellness programs.
Even now, Highsmith
is back in the lab, cooking up a new plan to further develop their
"human potential." Their plans are always highly guarded,
but certainly they will be cutting edge, and will incorporate continual
support and encouragement as part of employee development.
This unrivaled
dedication to health promotion is summed up when Herman says, "We
think the terms "wellness" and "employee development"
are interchangeable. Job
satisfaction career pathing, learning, balancing work/life responsibilities,
how one feels about ones self and the job that's being performed
coupled with physical and emotional
well-being can all be integrated."
Indeed, Highsmith
has a unique and unwavering approach to worksite wellness worthy
of the utmost recognition. Says Hunnicutt, "From our perspective,
Highsmith, Inc embodies the true qualities of the Platinum award
winner. Initially focusing on the physical elements of health and
well being, Highsmith engaged employees in losing weight, quitting
smoking, and increasing physical activity-all important and noble
pursuits. Today Highsmith has expanded its definition of wellness
to now include total employee development. This concept includes
creating healthy jobs by utilizing employees' true gifts and talents,
engaging them in their jobs, and empowering and supporting them
to be the best they can be."
Contacts:
Bill Herman
Highsmith Inc.
920-563-9571
Bo Abresch
Wellness Councils of America
Phone: (402) 827-3590
Fax: (402) 827-3594
Email: babresch@welcoa.org
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