ISC-SHRM and BCBSIL announce new workplace wellness program

The Illinois State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management (ISC-SHRM) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) today announced a new awards program that recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and strive to create a work culture that promotes physical activity.

Called the WOWIES!, these awards honor Illinois-based organizations or companies that take a creative approach to inspire employees to make healthy, active choices during working hours.

Workplace wellness programs have been shown to be effective and contribute to a company's bottom line. According to Don R. Powell, PhD., president and CEO, American Institute of Preventive Medicine, Farmington Hills, Mich., employee wellness programs receive an average ROI of $3.48 to 1 due to reduced health care costs and $5.82 to 1 due to reduced absenteeism, making them worth considering.

Criteria for the awards were developed by a team of ISC-SHRM and BCBSIL wellness experts.

According to ISC-SHRM president John Jorgensen, to be recognized for a WOWIES! award, organizations must develop and implement a measurable, easy-to-follow program to achieve the recognition criteria. Initiatives must be ongoing and in place for 30 days prior to the date of submission.

The WOWIES Award program has Silver, Gold and Platinum categories.

The Silver award will be given to organizations that demonstrate a solid foundation for success.

The Gold award is given to select worksites/organizations that meet the Silver criteria, as well as organizations that develop comprehensive programs producing results. These programs are strategic and aligned with the organization's mission, vision and values.

The Platinum award recognizes organizations with well-defined and well-executed worksite wellness programming, and who meet the following criteria:

• Offer employees physical activity support
• Increase health eating options at work
• Promote a wellness culture
• Employ a minimum of 5 people
• Offer a variety of physical activities for employees

Companies that achieve any level of WOWIES! award recognition will receive:

• An official recognition letter from ISC-SHRM and BCBSIL
• A recognition plaque for display
• Recognition on ISC-SHRM and BCBSIL program Web site
• Recognition by ISC-SHRM and BCBSIL at local events and in communication materials supporting the recognition program.

Applications can be found at: http://wellness.illinoisshrm.org/. Deadline for submission is January 29, 2010. Winner will be announced March 1st, 2010.

SOURCE Illinois State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management