Leviton Recognized for Calibre of Employee Wellness Program by Leading Healthcare Services Company
Little Neck, NY, March, 31, 2008 - Leviton Manufacturing Company, North America's leading producer of electrical and electronic wiring devices, was saluted by healthcare services provider Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) for the quality and success of its employee wellness programs. Leviton was one of three member organizations to be recognized at its Healthcare Symposium earlier this month in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
"Leviton has worked hard at changing its culture and helping employees to improve their health so that they are happier and more productive. We chose to honor Leviton because it proactively supports and implements health and wellness programs for its employees," said Dr. Don Bradley, Chief Medical Officer for BCBSNC.
"Providing our employees with a health management program that helps improve their well-being, workplace productivity and quality of life is integral to our corporate culture," said Fran Ruderman, Senior Director of Benefits and Compensation for Leviton. "We are pleased to receive this recognition as an innovator and pacesetter in the area of employee wellness."
With awareness of the health risks posed by smoking, eating a high-fat diet and leading a sedentary lifestyle on the rise and with healthcare costs escalating steeply over the past few years, Leviton has sought innovative ways to inspire its workforce to achieve greater health and well-being. This includes offering on-site health fairs and smoking cessation seminars, programs to defray the cost of heath club membership and incentives to exercise. These initiatives have resulted in a significant reduction in the company's paid medical claims during the one-year period 2006 and 2007.
Leviton also played a key role as an educator and presenter at BCBSNC's 7th Annual Healthcare Symposium. As one of a handful of speakers to share her expertise during the three-day forum, Ruderman described the company's "Turn On to Wellness Program," an offering of health management initiatives which includes Weight Watchers® at Work and Walk@Lunch programs, reduced fees for prescription drugs for chronic illness, biometric screenings and healthy meal and menu choices at employee cafeterias.
Leviton has an exciting roster of future activities planned to encourage employee health and fitness. This summer, Leviton will participate in the 32nd annual JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge®, a 3.5 mile race, where corporate teams compete against each other in New York's Central Park. Also in the works, a weight reduction and fitness program modeled after NBC's reality TV hit series "The Biggest Loser."
Founded in 1906 at the dawn of the electrical era, Leviton manufactures over 25,000 different products and is North America's leading electrical and electronic wiring device producer. Leviton products are used in nine out of ten homes in the US and Canada, and in commercial facilities, industrial plants and OEM operations. A third generation family-owned and operated business, Leviton sets the pace of progress in the industry. For more information about Leviton, visit www.leviton.com.
