Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards

2008 Best Practices Honors Program

Nine organizations were selected to receive the American Psychological Association's 2008 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 state, province or territory in which the organization is located. Following a competitive evaluation and judging process, the top ten best practices were selected for national recognition.

2008 Honorees

Click on the links below to read more about the Best Practices of the 2008 Honorees.

Leaving the Office Behind

Alaska– Every other Friday at 3 p.m., employees at Alaska Pacific University (APU) set aside their work and leave the office to participate in a program called "Fridays Out and About." Activities including yoga, cross-country skiing and volleyball take place outside, getting faculty and staff active, while taking full advantage of APU's recreational facilities and Alaska’s stunning terrain. Read more

Tuning In to Teamwork

Arkansas– For more than ten years, the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) has used planning and improvement teams to accomplish goals. This team approach has been so successful that it is now ingrained in the organizational culture. Employees at AETN budget together, plan together and even celebrate together. Read more

A Workforce That's Virtually Everywhere

Maryland– While some companies tout their telecommuting benefits, few have half their team members actually take them up on it. At Ascend One, a financial services company, 50 percent of contact center employees work from home, a practice that benefits employees, customers and the organization. Read more

A Thank-You Card for Employees

Minnesota– As a long-term acute care hospital, Bethesda Hospital is dedicated to reinventing the lives of the people it serves and recognizes the effect employees have on patient experience. Bethesda's focus on employee recognition led to an incentive program called "Bethesda Recognizes and Values Our Employees" or "BRAVOe." The program uses gift cards to recognize accomplishments such as providing exceptional service, supporting hospital programs and fostering teamwork. Read more

Benefiting the Community

Washington – Helping employees and communities thrive is key to the success of Burgerville, a restaurant chain owned by The Holland, Inc. When other companies were cutting back on healthcare for employees, Burgerville recognized the importance of happy, healthy employees and served up a healthcare plan unmatched by food service chains of its size. Read more

People Serving People

Ohio– At the Dayton Marriott, employees have the opportunity to learn more than just job skills. In 2002, the hotel established an onsite adult learning program to promote continuing education for the hotel's hourly workers. The Alliance for Work-Based Education, created in partnership with the Sisters of Notre Dame, is one more way the Dayton Marriott lives by the company ideals of service to employees, customers and community. Read more

Caring for Caregivers

Alaska– Hope Community Resources is the largest statewide provider of services to individuals with disabilities. Each month for the past five years, Hope has offered employees free, half-day emotional wellness seminars conducted by a staff psychologist. Employees are invited to participate in the classes on the clock, and it’s not unusual to spot caregivers from other local agencies in attendance. They all show up to learn new skills and strategies for staying psychologically fit in an emotionally demanding job environment. Read more

Cashing In on Safety

Illinois – At Trinity Services, the mission of helping people with disabilities "live full and abundant lives" extends to employees. The "Safety Incentive Frog" program, named after Trinity’s amphibian mascot, exemplifies the organization's community approach to maintaining a safe and rewarding work environment. The program draws on behavioral theory and industrial-organizational models of safety assurance, providing employees with incentives for every week that their department is accident-free. Read more

A Survey That Gets Results

British Columbia – In 2005, Westminster Savings Credit Union (WSCU) revamped its existing employee opinion survey to include a comprehensive process that engages the entire organization in its commitment to improve. Employees help develop and implement the survey, interpret the results and identify target areas for change. Read more

"What is it that attracts the best people today? One thing that really attracts them is the idea that they are working for a winner. They like to know that the organization they are working for is out there having victories in the market. A lot of people, especially the best young people, want a sense of purpose in their work...to know that what they do at work is good and right."

Geoffrey Colvin
Senior Editor at Large, FORTUNE