WorkWell Healthy Workplace Program Recognizes
24 Organizations in 2008

Twenty-four local workplaces have been named WorkWell Healthy Workplaces in the most recent effort to improve opportunities for employee health and decrease chronic diseases in Thurston County.  The announcement was made this month the Thurston County Chamber Forum Luncheon at Saint Martin’s University.

The designation is part of a collaborative program between the Thurston County Chamber and Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department.  The program is designed to recognize local employers who make a commitment to address workforce health issues.  Employers within the Thurston Chamber who actively promoted changes to their work environment or culture during 2007 were eligible for the program.  Applications were judged by a team of Chamber volunteers and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services staff.

The program features three levels of designations – Gold, Silver and Bronze.  Designation levels are determined according to the level of organizational support from leadership or senior management, combined with the implementation of modifications or enhancements that positively impacted healthy eating and/or physical activity during the year.

“We are excited to have more than doubled the number of organizations which applied for and received designations this year,” commented David Schaffert, President/CEO of
the Thurston County Chamber.  “Employees are among a company’s greatest assets, and a healthy workplace is an important part of a successful, profitable business.  We applaud these companies for their leadership by example, and look forward to growing the program within our membership.”

“This program is built on a strong partnership focused on supporting regular exercise and healthy food choices for adults at their workplaces.  It is helping to reduce chronic disease and improve our community’s overall health,” said Public Health and Social Services Director, Sherri McDonald.

Recipients of the designations earn the right to display the WorkWell program logo at their place of business, on their website, and in collateral materials. 

“We hope they will display the logo as a badge of honor,” concluded Schaffert.  “These 24 organizations should be proud of what they have accomplished.”

Seventeen organizations received gold designations by demonstrating management support for healthy workplace activities as well having instituted at least one program each to promote healthy eating and physical activity during the workday. Four organizations received silver designations and 3 received bronze recognition.

The complete list of recipients is shown below:

Gold Designees

A Steve's Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning
City of Olympia
GHB Insurance
Harborstone Credit Union
Intercity Transit
Lacey Adventure Boot Camp
LOTT Alliance
Lucky Eagle Casino
O Bee Credit Union
ProActive SportsMed
Providence St. Peter Hospital
94.5 ROXY/Premier Broadcasters
TAGS/Williams Group Marketing + Design
The Creative Office
Thurston County Chamber
TOGETHER!
TwinStar Credit Union

Silver Designees

Hands On Children's Museum
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
Timberland Regional Library
Venture Bank

Bronze Designees

Port of Olympia
Thurston County Economic Development Council
West Coast Bank