Staff works to lose hundreds of pounds

Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. in Warwick is the state’s largest writer of workers’ compensation and property casualty insurance. By definition, the company is serious about safety, and it is equally serious about the health of its employees.
“Wellness is a part of our everyday life at Beacon. Ensuring a successful wellness program begins with a positive and energetic tone set at the top,” said Pamela L. Alarie, vice president of human resources.
This year, Beacon launched a 12-week Healthy Weight Challenge. Nearly 60 employees committed themselves to the program, which will conclude this month.
“Over the course of the program, participants receive motivation through weekly emails with healthy-weight tips and recipes. … To date, participants have lost a combined 250 pounds,” Alarie said.
The health and wellness opportunities at Beacon also include community 5K walks, the Beacon walking program during the work day, and the use of ergonomically sound work stations.
Beacon is especially proud of one of its employees, Trish Johnson, a 2013 recipient of the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award. “Trish was motivated by the tragic loss of her father to a heart attack, followed shortly by her own heart attack,” Alarie said.
Johnson turned to Beacon’s wellness programs to find the support she needed to lose weight, increase her physical activity, and completely revamp her diet toward heart-healthy nutrition. •