Hartford Business Journal

20 Hartford Business Journal • December 3, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com CONNECTICUT'S HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS 2018 We're pumped. Wellness is critical to delivering strong outcomes for those who depend on us. As an employee-owned firm, we know all about sweat equity. We're honored to be named a finalist as one of Connecticut's Healthiest Employers. 1 st PLACE | CATEGORY: 151 TO 400 CT EMPLOYEES Burns & McDonnell's comprehensive wellness program shows results By Holly M. LaPrade Special to the Hartford Business Journal W hen it comes to the well-being of the people who work at the 100 percent employee-owned engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting firm Burns & McDonnell, it's not just busi- ness — it is a deeply personal matter. "We are more than coworkers; we are a family," said Chief Administra- tive Officer Melissa Wood. "That's why we are passionate about offering a comprehensive wellness program that helps our employee-owners thrive." Burns & McDonnell's wellness incentive program is called "Own Your Health." The initiative is designed to help employees take control of their health and offers a range of incentives and value-added services. Through participation in the pro- gram, individuals and their spouses can earn points and premium discounts by completing wellness activities, includ- ing exercise, buying healthy food and completing biometric screenings. Taylor Simmons, an assistant con- struction manager, said she has received personal satisfaction from her participa- tion in the program. At the beginning of 2018, Burns & McDonnell made a $1.6 million invest- ment by providing all employee-own- ers with a $300 subsidy to purchase a fitness tracker device, Simmons said. "I personally wear an iWatch and sync it with the wellness system that could not be easier to use," Simmons said. "By just doing daily activities and light exercise, you gain points almost every single day." The company has also incorporated initiatives such as the "Step It Up Challenge" as a means of encour- aging employee participation. During the chal- lenge, more than 1,800 employee- owners engaged in a friendly competition with their co-workers for the title of "Step Champion." The company said it logged more than 260.5 million steps throughout the challenge. The company also offers a range of unique benefits, including providing reimbursement for up to $100 worth of tobacco-cessation tools that are not covered under its health plan. The company also decided to allow spouses to participate in its wellness incentive program this year. Over the past three years, the com- pany's medical and pharmacy claims have trended at 6.2 percent, compared to the national average at 8 percent. They've also seen increasing partici- pation in the wellness programs. As an added benefit to the company, the combination of fewer gaps in care and fewer chronic conditions will re- sult in a healthier risk pool and lower healthcare costs. Burns & McDonnell Industry: ACE CT Office: Wallingford CT Employees: 152 Burns & McDonnell employees participating in a bike race.

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