Navigant Earns Worksite Health Award

By providing its employees with the tools, knowledge and options to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Smithfield-based Navigant Credit Union has earned a Worksite Health Award in the Achievement category. 

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) present the Worksite Health Awards each year to area businesses that offer programming to support employee health and wellness.

“From our employee gym to our nutrition options, Navigant Credit Union strives to provide continuing health and wellness initiatives that promote a healthy habits among our employees,” said Navigant Credit Union President and CEO Gary Furtado. “We plan to continue our focus on nutrition, exercise and wellness programs to maintain a happy, healthy and motivated team.”

BCBSRI and the GPCC distributed Worksite Health Awards to 75 deserving Rhode Island companies at a ceremony on May 29.

In 2012, Navigant Credit Union established a Health & Wellness committee that spearheaded an effort to develop a formal wellness plan. As part of that plan, Navigant Credit Union has offered nutrition, Zumba and yoga classes, twice-weekly sessions with a personal trainer, wellness clinics and flu shots. It has also offered incentives such as raffle prizes to employees who participated in wellness activities such as the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K and an informal “Biggest Loser” weight loss challenge.

In addition, Navigant Credit Union stocks its vending machines with healthy options such as juice, yogurt and nuts, and it has an onsite gym where employees have access to fitness equipment such as treadmills and elliptical and weight machines. The gym is open to employees at no cost after-hours and on weekends, as well.

“Our Worksite Health Award winners here today are the proof that it is possible for employees to squeeze health and fitness into their busy lives,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president & CEO for BCBSRI. “The organizations we’re recognizing are a testament to how critical worksite wellness is to the performance of their employees and ultimately their organizations. They are a testament to wellness that works.”

“This year’s Worksite Wellness Award winners have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to helping their employees improve their health and well-being,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. “They have seized an important opportunity to encourage healthy habits and prevent health problem among employees and their families, which is much deserving of recognition.”