SHANGHAI & BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six employers named as Global Healthy Workplace Award finalists will present their programs on a world stage at the second Global Healthy Workplace Awards and Summit (GHWAS) taking place April 9-10 at the Andaz Hotel, Shanghai, China. GE, while not a global finalist, will be recognized among China applicants for its outstanding wellness program.
Employers from 33 countries vied for the distinction of being considered among the world’s healthiest workplaces. GHWAS submissions were reviewed by an international panel of health and wellness experts from five continents who judged the programs based on the Healthy Workplace Model for Action developed by the World Health Organization. Judges remarked that this year’s award applicants distinguished themselves in leadership and innovation.
A highlight of the Summit will be the presentations by the six finalists, whose programs represent the best of the international business community’s ability to successfully promote good health among their employees and the communities they serve. The Summit will attract 150 leaders from business, public health, academia, government and non-government organizations (NGOs), united in the belief that employers can serve as the entry point to better health for the worldwide workforce.
The three winning employers will be announced at the close of the Summit. A complete agenda can be found at http://newsroom.cigna.com/AboutCigna/AwardsandHonors/2014-global-healthy-workplace-awards-summit/summit-program/
Here are the finalists:
Multi-national Employers
IBM (USA)
IBM has a long-standing tradition in creating
healthy workplaces throughout the world and continues to drive an
integrated approach to workplace health. IBM has established 10 global
priorities for health promotion, which are applied to its many employees
globally. For example, IBM uses social analytics technology to capture
“Mini Pulse” feedback from employees as they interact with health
programs.
Unilever (Netherlands/United Kingdom)
Unilever calculated a
return on investment with its Lamplighter program in mature countries of
3.14 Euros for every Euro spent. Of note is Unilever’s Global Mental
Health Standard, which evaluates sources of employee pressure, enhances
personal resilience and provides counseling and employee referrals where
needed.
Large Employers
Telefônica do Brasil (Brazil)
Telefônica was
a semi-finalist last year and reapplied with a stronger program.
Telefônica has developed its own self-managed health
insurance plan, with broad coverage all over Brazil. One of the outcomes
of the comprehensive “BEM PERTO” program is that health insurance fees
are only 7.8 percent of monthly payroll, whereas the average among other
Brazilian enterprises is 15 percent of payroll.
Vanderbilt University (USA)
Vanderbilt’s program was the
first of its kind at U.S. academic medical centers, and elements of the
program have been expanded into other institutions across the United
States. Ongoing tracking and improvement systems are used, including a
dashboard using the Health Enhancement Research Organization’s
modifiable lifestyle risks and the Centers for Disease Control’s Healthy
People 2020 targets and milestones.
Small and Mid-Sized Employers
Spokane Regional Health District (USA)
Spokane is a local
public health agency with 250 employees who serve a population of more
than 400,000 in Spokane County, Washington. The Living Well Program has
a 15-year history and enjoys strong leadership support and active
involvement. Spokane has developed policies, system and environmental
changes that have greatly enhanced the way employees embrace safe and
healthy choices.
Technica International (Lebanon)
Technica International, a
repeat finalist and a family business of 140 employees, incorporated all
of its health, safety and environment initiatives under its Employee
Satisfaction Program. Technica continues to excel in its efforts to
share its experience and expertise with other companies as well as the
community-at-large in Lebanon.
Cigna and the Cigna Foundation are sponsors of the GHWAS, hosted by the Global Knowledge Exchange Network in association with two international organizations with extensive health experience, International Health Consulting and the i-genius world community of social entrepreneurs. The GHWAS and Cigna also are the exclusive sponsors of the 2014 Buck Global Survey of Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies, which will be unveiled at the Shanghai Summit.
For more information contact jrcomola@wrgh.org and visit www.globalhealthyworkplace.com or http://newsroom.cigna.com/AboutCigna/AwardsandHonors/2014-global-healthy-workplace-awards-summit/
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation is a private
foundation funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and
its subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing
its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and
the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those
communities where Cigna employees live and work.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health
service company dedicated to helping people improve their health,
well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided
exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation,
including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and
Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and
Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services
include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental,
behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related
products including group disability, life, and accident coverage. Cigna
has sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with
approximately 80 million customer relationships throughout the world. To
learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or
Twitter, visit www.cigna.com
About GKEN
Global Knowledge Exchange Network on health care
(GKEN) is chartered as a not for profit (501c-3) and is focused on
advancing emerging better practices in health and health care among
developing and developed nations around the globe. Our emphasis is on
the health system aspects of health and healthcare. Through engaging
thought leaders around the globe we create cross cultural learning that
enables improvements in health system practices.
About i-genius
i-genius is a world community of social
entrepreneurs with members in over 200 countries. It promotes social
entrepreneurship and provides training, events and business development
support to its global community. Based in London.
About International Health Consulting
International Health
Consulting (IHC) is an independent health promotion consultancy with
locations in central Europe and the United States. Armed with a network
of over 250 international health promotion professionals worldwide, IHC
can develop customized solutions that are tailored to local populations.