Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • September 16, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 23 CONNECTICUT'S HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS 2019 1 st PLACE | CATEGORY: 1,001 TO 4,999 EMPLOYEES Gilbane Inc. focuses on whole-person health By Wendy Pierman Mitzel Special to the Hartford Business Journal L ast year, when leaders at Gilbane Inc. found they were falling short of their employee-wellness goals, they looked for a new way to offer programs that produce change. "We've had a wellness program in place for many years and our previous program included annual biometric screening and tobacco affidavit in order to earn a medical premium discount," said Courtney Canna- ta, Gilbane's vice president and di- rector of human resources. "When we looked at population health data year over year … [including] cholesterol levels, blood pressure, obesity rates … we weren't see- ing meaningful improvement." Gilbane turned to outside work- wellness vendor Virgin Pulse to offer employees and families added tools like a mobile app with a variety of inspirational messages and daily tips for making healthy choices, as well as nutrition and sleep trackers. "We believe that engaging employ- ees and their families with healthy activities on a more regular basis, in addition to the annual biometric screenings, will result in healthier families," Cannata said. Management promoted the program heavily with a series of webinars, blogs and mailings. Company executives were active in their support of the program and stressed the ease-of-use access with the mobile app. Cannata said Gilbane increased participation to 76 percent of its 2,740 employees. Gilbane encourages and pays for step challenges, community road races, charity walks, stair climbs and other team-building activities. It also provides a fitness-reimbursement benefit up to $300 annually. Financial coaching is important as well, with Fidelity Investments of- fering Gilbane employees individual assistance as well as instructional we- binars. Virgin Pulse includes a "Stash Some Cash" program to help work- ers save for unanticipated expenses. Additionally, the company offers paid family leave. Wellness leaders also increased their focus on mental health, including more education and awareness, reducing co-pays for behavioral- health visits and eliminating pri- or-authorization for in-patient mental-health treatment. The construction and development company lives by a Gilbane Cares phi- losophy, "built on the belief that every- one deserves a safe, healthy, and secure work environment," said Cannata. The company has also paid atten- tion to the opioid epidemic, which has impacted the injury-prone construc- tion industry. "One of the biggest issues in this space, especially around substance abuse, including opioid dependency, is recognizing abuse among the sub- contractor population, [which is much more prevalent than in the Gilbane population]," Cannata said. "Gilbane's safety leadership in many locations has offered training to leaders and field- assigned employees in areas including identifying signs of substance abuse and administering Narcan." Gilbane Inc. CT Headquarters: Glastonbury Industry: Construction and real estate development Top Executive: Thomas F. Gilbane Jr. is chairman and CEO of Gilbane Inc. and chairman of Gilbane Building Co. in Glastonbury Gilbane employees whitewater rafting. 2 nd PLACE | CATEGORY: 1,001 TO 4,999 EMPLOYEES FM Global links physical wellness with community service FM Global Industry: Insurance Top Executive: Thomas A. Lawson, Chairman and CEO Fast Fact: Employees at FM Global receive one volunteer day off each year and receive points from the company's global digital health and well-being platform for completing activities such as donating blood or community service. S ince FM Global introduced its Real Appeal virtual weight-loss program at the beginning of 2018, employees have lost 3,000 pounds. But the weight- loss program is just part of the company's Total Health program, a year-round digital platform powered by Virgin Pulse. The program has allowed for a more individualized approach to wellness. For example, while the company used to offer prizes for participating in a step challenge, employees can now earn up to $200 per year by completing activities that are meaningful to them. FM Global is also interested in con- necting with its surrounding commu- nities, and incorporates that idea into its wellness activities. The company held a cornhole tournament consist- ing of 36 teams to raise funds for the United Way, and previously held a 5K run and a Total Health Walk/Run Chal- lenge for the charity. 3 rd PLACE | CATEGORY: 1,001 TO 4,999 EMPLOYEES Benchmark Senior Living mixes fun and healthy behaviors Benchmark Senior Living Industry: Healthcare Top Executive: Tom Grape, Chairman and CEO Fast Fact: Benchmark Senior Living's employee turnover has improved year over year by 3 percent and participation rates in its wellness program continue to increase as well. B enchmark Senior Living's well- ness program focuses on overall employee wellbeing, including: financial, physical and emotional. Company employees have full access to Virgin Pulse, a digital platform that allows for a more individual- ized approach to wellness, including help- ing employees better under- stand their health risks and pro- viding disease- management programs to improve their health. The program drives and requires engagement. Healthcare costs are encouraging Benchmark employees to participate in the company's wellness program to obtain a lower premium deduction. Benchmark has also increased the number of company "challenges" that drive fun and engagement. The com- pany's goal is to have fun while also encouraging healthy behaviors that reduce healthcare costs. Cash-incentive payouts have also increased quarterly due to higher wellness-program participation and engagement.

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