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The National Business Group on Health Awards Chrysler Group With a Gold Medal for Promoting Healthy Employee Lifestyles


chrysler (select to view enlarged photo)

AUBURN HILLS, MI--May 25, 2011:

  • Gold Medal identifies the nation's leading corporations for innovative programs promoting a healthy workplace and employee lifestyles
  • Award validates Company's commitment to the health and quality of life of employees and their families
  • Third consecutive year and fourth in the past seven years Company has received this recognition
  • Chrysler Group is only automaker to receive award in 2011

The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) has recognized Chrysler Group LLC once again as one of the nation's leading corporations providing comprehensive programs that enable a healthy workplace and promote healthy lifestyles of employees and their families.  This year, Chrysler Group received a gold medal award, and was the only automaker to be honored. 

The NBGH's Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Award recognizes employers that have truly embraced a culture of wellness and are working collaboratively to improve their employees' health, productivity and quality of life. This is the third consecutive year and the fourth time since the award was established seven years ago that Chrysler Group has received either a gold or silver medal recognizing the quality and relevance of its employee wellness programs. Chrysler Group was among 48 employers that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Award in 2011. The Company accepted the award on May 24 at the National Business Group on Health's Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

"Chrysler is proud to be recognized for its commitment to providing a healthy workplace and improving the health and well-being of our employees and their families," said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President - Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC. "This award validates our invested efforts in our employee wellness programs which are a clear indication of our corporate values and a strategic differentiator as we recruit and retain talented people who enable the Company to compete and grow."

"Employer interest in creating healthy workplaces and a healthy workforce is at an all-time high as controlling health care costs remains a top priority. Employers have learned that it will be very hard, if not impossible, to control costs if employees and family members have unhealthy lifestyles and related serious health conditions," said Helen Darling, President and CEO of the National Business Group on Health.  "The 48 employers we are recognizing this year have consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing innovative workplace health improvement programs that encourage healthier lifestyles."

The Chrysler-UAW National Wellness Program was implemented in 1985 for both represented and non-represented employees and is focused on promoting a healthier workplace, healthy life styles and reducing the risk of illness and chronic disease. The program is comprised of services offered in a wide range of formats, including health assessments, biometric screenings, workshops, campaigns and health coaching. Program topics are selected based on health assessments and screening results, disability data and employee interests. Incentives linked to wellness activities are used to increase employee participation.

"Our leadership teams are convinced that supporting improvement of the health and well-being of our members is vital to developing the world class work environments that will support a successful and sustainable Company and union for the future," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department. "On behalf of our members, we are proud to receive this recognition."

About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit organization devoted exclusively to representing large employers' perspective on national health policy issues and providing practical solutions to its members' most important health care problems. The Business Group helps drive today's health agenda while promoting ideas for controlling health care costs, improving patient safety and quality of care and sharing best practices in health benefits management with senior benefits, HR professionals, and medical directors from leading corporations. Business Group members, which include 63 Fortune 100 companies, provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families.