Healthy workplaces get the nod high-performance

February 28, 2016

The American Psychological Association (APA) recognized six employers for their efforts to promote employee well-being and organizational performance in high-performing work environments at its 11th annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., last month.

The six employers are: Certified Angus Beef (Ohio), Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library (Ohio), Grants Plus (Ohio), Moore Communications Group (Florida), Passport Health Plan (Kentucky) and San Jorge Children’s Hospital (Puerto Rico).

At these six winning companies, more than seven out of 10 employees say the organization values employee involvement (71 percent), work-life balance (77 percent), training and development (78 percent) and employee recognition (77 percent). Well-being plays a central role in these organizations, with 79 percent of employees reporting that their organization promotes and supports a healthy lifestyle. More than two-thirds say the organization provides adequate resources to address their mental health needs (69 percent) and help them manage stress (68 percent). The average turnover rate for these six organizations is less than a third of the national average, and only nine percent of their employees say they intend to seek employment elsewhere within the next year, compared to almost a quarter (23 percent) nationally.

“Every workplace has the potential to be a psychologically healthy one. The awards showcase employers of various sizes and missions that are committed to building well-being and performance into the fabric of their organization,” said David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, head of APA’s Center for Organizational Excellence, which hosts the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program and annual awards. “With concrete steps and a comprehensive program, employers can create a positive work environment in which employees feel valued and heard while their organizations reap the benefits such as low turnover, high job satisfaction and the reputation as a place where people want to work.”