Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards

2006 Best Practices Honors Program

Ten organizations were selected to receive the American Psychological Association's 2006 Best Practices Honors. Launched in 2003, this national program recognizes companies for a single workplace program or policy that stands out for its facilitation of a psychologically healthy workplace. Special attention is given to workplace practices that are designed and implemented in a way that creatively meets the specific needs of the organization and its employees.

Nominees for this national honor were selected from the pool of previous state-level Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award winners and submitted for consideration by the psychological association in the U.S. state or Canadian province in which the company is located. Following a competitive evaluation and judging process, the top ten best practices described here were selected for national recognition.

2006 Honorees

Click on the links below to read more about the Best Practices of the 2006 Honorees.

Going For the Green

Vermont – Can going to work be good for your health? NRG Systems thinks so. The manufacturer of wind energy measurement equipment recently moved into a new 46,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that features many elements of “green design” — an approach that has been found to increase worker health and productivity while reducing the use of natural resources. Read more

The Eyes Have It

Hawaii – Hazardous materials, heavy equipment and cramped working conditions are a way of life for the employees of Pacific Shipyards International’s NAVSEA Inactive Ships On-Site Maintenance Office (NISMO) Division. The implementation of a safety program nicknamed “An Extra Pair of Eyes” has helped employees at the marine industrial maintenance contractor face these challenges and achieve a perfect safety record. Read more

Investment in Training Earns Rapid Returns

Wyoming – When employees at Trihydro spoke, leaders at this multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm listened. Surveys conducted as part of the firm’s 2004 strategic planning process indicated that employees wanted more formal training and professional development opportunities. Trihydro responded with a company-wide Operational and Service Excellence (OSE) program to enhance professional development, foster employee involvement and promote employee health and safety. Read more

Developing a Healthy Culture

Wisconsin – Most companies offer opportunities for employees to develop their job skills. At Highsmith, a distributor of library and school products, employee development efforts go a step further to include a strong emphasis on health and well-being. Read more

All Aboard

Nova Scotia – The nature of work at Secunda Marine Services requires employees to report for extended tours of duty that can last as long as eight weeks. The company, which owns, operates and manages offshore supply vessels, recognizes that under such extreme conditions, it has an obligation to create a work environment that promotes employee health and well-being. Read more

Executing a Winning Game Plan

New York – The participatory culture inspired by a practice of conducting daily “huddles” has employees of Stone Construction Equipment feeling like champions. Taking a cue from the sports world, each department and manufacturing cell conducts “huddles” — interactive meetings designed to involve all employees in running the business. Read more

Steering the Team in the Right Direction

Washington – Employees at some organizations may dread the thought of attending another meeting, but at Downtown Honda, it is a welcome part of the job. For more than five years, the automobile dealership has used professionally facilitated meetings to boost morale and improve the quality of its operations. Read more

Cooking Up Something Good

Maryland – A company-wide lunch has been a tradition at Carl M. Freeman Associates for almost 30 years. Four times a week, this real estate developer’s employees and their guests sit down together for a nutritious meal that helps promote teamwork and cross-departmental communication. Read more

Time Is on Their Side

South Carolina – When it comes to their financial goals, clients of Abacus Planning Group, count on the financial services firm to provide peace of mind. This small company knows that giving clients the service they expect begins with taking care of employees. Read more

Drawing on Employee Expertise

Ohio – Coleman Professional Services (CPS) believes that allowing staff to take an active role in planning and development is a mutually beneficial arrangement. When this behavioral healthcare organization decided to build a new facility for its senior day program, it looked to employees for guidance in creating an environment that would be functional, attractive and safe for both staff and clients. Read more

"When you have a high level of employee involvement in regards to the decision-making and problem-solving; and, when employees know that they are not alone to deal with their personal issues; and, when they see opportunities to become healthier with their employer’s help; then, that business will be able to count on its greatest resource, its employees."

Glenn McFadden
Executive Vice President of Operations, The Comporium Group