News Release

The American Psychological Association recognizes ten companies' commitment to employee health

Grant and Award Announcement

American Psychological Association Practice Directorate

Washington, D.C., October 13, 2004 – The American Psychological Association (APA) today recognized 10 companies for their innovative programs and policies that help create psychologically healthy workplaces. APA announced the following recipients of the second annual Best Practices Honors at the Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM) conference in Phoenix, Arizona:

  • Bank One Corporation; Columbus, OH
  • Donald A. Deems, III, DDS, PA; Little Rock, AR
  • Liberty Precision Industries; Rochester, NY
  • Otsuka's Furniture & Appliances, Kauai, HI
  • City of Albany, Oregon, Public Works Department; Albany, OR
  • Silverado Senior Living-Aspen Park; Salt Lake City, UT
  • South Carolina Bank and Trust; Orangeburg, SC
  • Steelscape; Kalama, WA
  • Sysco Food Services of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM
  • VanCity Savings Credit Union; Vancouver, BC

"In this era of skyrocketing healthcare costs, corporate scandals, and increasing workplace pressures, many organizations are struggling to stem the forces that are whittling away at their employees' morale, productivity and health," says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., APA's executive director for professional practice. "Developing programs ranging from professional and personal growth seminars to home-cooked meals, these Best Practices Honorees are setting an example by creating strong, vibrant organizational cultures that contribute to both employee health and well-being and the company's bottom line."

The Best Practices Honors is a national program that recognizes companies for innovative programs and policies that stand out for fostering a psychologically healthy workplace. Nominees for this national award were selected from the pool of more than 180 state-level Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award winners and submitted for consideration by the psychological association of the state or province in which the company is located. Following a competitive evaluation and judging process, the top ten best practices were selected for national recognition.

Since 1999, the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award has been presented to organizations at the state level for their commitment to programs and policies that enhance the health and well-being of their employees. The award program highlights a variety of workplaces, large and small, profit and non-profit, from diverse geographical settings. Over the past five years, participation has grown to a total of 37 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

"By developing innovative programs, this year's honorees are doing more than simply improving their own workplaces. The programs are setting a strong example for other companies about how focusing on employee health and well-being can drive organizational performance," said Sean Sullivan of the Institute for Health and Productivity Management.

Studies show that among other benefits, psychologically healthy workplace practices can increase job retention and satisfaction as well as reduce stress. The American Institute of Stress estimates that workplace stress costs U.S. industry $300 billon per year in absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, and direct medical, legal, and insurance fees. According to a 2004 poll by the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of men and women say work has a significant impact on their stress level, and as a result one in four has called in sick or taken a "mental health day."

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For more information about the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards, Best Practices Honors, and APA's publication highlighting the 2004 honorees visit http://www.apapractice.org/apo/psychologically_healthy.html

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its 55 divisions and its affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare.


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