PROVIDENCE – Forty-four Rhode Island employers have been honored with Well Workplace awards, presented by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri and the Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island. Another 23 employers previously designated as Well Workplaces also were honored yesterday at the WWCRI breakfast.
“Without question, we have created a culture in our state where wellness is not only valued, it’s celebrated,” Carcieri said in a statement. “I am very proud that our state is serving as a model for the rest of the nation to follow.”
Personal health assessments, health screenings, nutrition and cholesterol awareness programs, weight management and smoking cessation programs, flu-shot clinics and walking programs are among the wellness programs that helped employers to qualify for the Well Workplace designation.
Participants “report a number of benefits for both employers and employees, including better physical and mental health and reductions in absenteeism,” the WWCRI said. “Some award winners estimate [their] return on investment, for each dollar spent on worksite wellness activities, [is] $2.42 to $9.85.”
The state government received its own Well Workplace award last year, for its Get Fit, Rhode Island initiative – and in April, Rhode Island was designated the nation’s first Well State, because 20 percent of the state work force is employed by companies, nonprofits and other organizations that have achieved Well Workplace status. (
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“We’ve not only realized our goal, but with your help we surpassed it,” said Carcieri, who with First Lady Suzanne Carcieri serves as honorary co-chair of the WWCRI. “Each and every one of us here is devoted to ensuring that Rhode Islanders lead healthy lives. I can’t thank you enough for your participation.”
The full list of past and present Well Workplace winners honored at this morning’s Well State Breakfast is available at
www.ri.gov.
Receiving platinum Well Workplace awards yesterday were Amica Mutual Insurance Co. and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Receiving gold Well Workplace awards were Amgen, Arpin Van Lines Inc., the City of Providence, CVS/pharmacy, EDS, Gem Plumbing and Heating, GTECH Corp., Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP, the Narragansett Bay Commission, the Naval Health Clinic New England–Newport, Orchard View Manor, the Maritime Mission Center of Raytheon Co.’s Integrated Defense Systems, the R.I. Department of Human Services’ Cranston offices, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, the R.I. Office of Rehabilitation Services, Roger Williams Medical Center, Roger Williams University, Taco Inc., Textron Inc. and the YMCA of Greater Providence.
Receiving silver Well Workplace awards were American Power Conversion, Bryant University, Carpionato Properties Inc., Citizens Financial Group Inc., Cox Communications, Gilbane, New England Institute of Technology, the Preservation Society of Newport County, Providence Public Library, the R.I. Department of Business Regulation, the R.I. state government, the University of Rhode Island and West Bay Residential Services Inc.
Receiving bronze Well Workplace awards were the City of Warwick, the R.I. Department of the Attorney General, FM Global, Pawtucket Credit Union, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Swarovski North America Ltd. and YMCA of Pawtucket.
Small business awards went to the American Cancer Society and Provant Health Solutions LLC.
The Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island, an affiliate of the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA), is dedicated to promoting and supporting health initiatives at businesses and organizations across the state. Additional information is available at wwcri.org and www.ri.gov.
