Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island 2023
2-99 Employees 1. Groov-Pin Corp.
CEO (or equivalent): Scot Jones, CEO
Number of employees: 90
WHETHER ITS EMPLOYEES learning how to save a life or finding ways to de-stress on the job, Groov-Pin Corp. has built quite a reputation on company wellness.
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As a smaller company, the Smithfield-based manufacturer works to get valuable feedback from its 90 employees and ensure team members know exactly what is offered through the company’s health and wellness programming.
Lauren Ciuba, the manufacturer’s marketing specialist, says the company believes employee health and the firm’s financial well-being do not have to be mutually exclusive. Groov-Pin, Ciuba says, approaches its employee wellness programs similar to how it looks to lean manufacturing principles on the business side.
“There are always ways to improve our offerings and a big part of that is working together and listening to our team. Changes don’t have to be monumental to make a difference,” Ciuba said. “We focus on small, consistent changes that will make an impact over time.”
This year, Groov-Pin welcomed North Providence-based Menard CPR Training to its facility, paying for any employee who wished to get certified. More than 20 team members learned lifesaving skills both individually and as a group. Additionally, the company’s Cheers for Peers program promotes community and positive mental and emotional health. Each month, employees can nominate their colleagues for a variety of honors such as “Team Player,” “Fast Learner,” “Good Listener” or “Great Mentor.”
‘Healthy people tend to be more resilient, and that is something we are focusing on.’
LAUREN CIUBA, marketing specialist
Equally popular is Groov-Pin’s yoga program. It features indoor and outdoor classes led by Providence-based yoga instructor Jessie Dwiggins, who adapts sessions based upon what employees’ needs are, all with a focus on allowing the team to de-stress and feel better physically.
A unique benefit Groov-Pin offers its employees is the GP-N-Motion program, part of GP Fit. This program allows employees to earn up to $95 per month to use for health care costs by completing daily, weekly and monthly wellness challenges. These challenges include topics such as hydration, mindfulness, brain health, nutrition and sleep.
“They allow participants to try new things and GP-N-Motion has exposed them to different topics to see which they might want to continue on their own,” Ciuba said. “We try to provide as much of a variety as we can so that each person can find what works best for them.”
Wellness at Groov-Pin extends beyond personal fitness. This year, the company introduced a quarterly incentive for employees who donate blood. The idea was suggested by an employee who regularly donates, with the hopes it would encourage others to give back as well. Other focuses include charity or community walks supporting causes such as lung cancer and mental health awareness.
Through surveys and other check-ins with all its employees, Groov-Pin’s wellness committee designs and creates programs that support employee health and well-being.
“Specifically, they look for ways to support employee physical, mental and financial health through quarterly walking challenges, daily fitness goals and quarterly Lunch-N-Learns,” said Nichole Smith, Groov-Pin’s wellness program coordinator and human resources assistant. “This company is consistently innovative and focused on growth and wellness for employees by developing new programs and adapting to employees’ needs in new and thoughtful ways.”
Smith also says Groov-Pin has been the only company she has worked for that regularly puts employees’ health at the forefront, and makes it a “consistent priority.” The ease and variety of the programs available, she says, make it effortless and enjoyable to participate.
Ciuba also says the effort the company makes is not only good for employees but for Groov-Pin as well. She said Groov-Pin notices that employees who focus on their well-being show up to work more engaged, more willing to collaborate and better equipped to problem-solve.
“When someone is healthy – and that includes physical, mental and social well-being – it allows that person to show up to work ‘on purpose,’ ” Ciuba said. “When someone feels good, they can be more present in their day-to-day life and that makes a huge impact at work. Healthy people tend to be more resilient and that is something we are focusing on.”
