GAINESVILLE — As part of the annual HealthSmart Breakfast on Wednesday morning at the Gainesville Civic Center, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) presented the 2015 Most Fit Company Awards.
The annual awards are presented under the VISION 2030 Community Wellness Initiative. Judging criteria for the contest included wellness, nutrition and fitness opportunities provided for employees. The awards were presented in three categories: small companies, medium companies and large companies, according to GHCC officials.
2015 MOST FIT COMPANY AWARDS
Small Company Award (50 or less Employees)
South State Bank
South State Bank employs 30 people at its three branches located in Hall County and is a Certified Drug-Free Workplace through the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation. South State Bank is committed to its employees’ health and well-being and empowers employees to live more fulfilling lives through positive decision-making, healthy habits and lifestyle changes. The bank provides free annual health assessments, Biometric Testing and the opportunity for employees to either declare a tobacco free lifestyle or participate in a tobacco cessation program. Employees have access to a wellness center portal and mobile app to track and log activities. Participating employees are eligible for prize drawings and wellness premium discounts. South State Bank recently completed an employee challenge to walk 150,000 steps from September 15-30, and also conducted a free flu-shot clinic.
Medium Company Award (51-250 Employees)
SKF USA Inc.
SKF USA is a deep groove and angular contact ball bearing manufacturing facility employing 238 workers in Flowery Branch. The company is a Certified Drug-Free Workplace through the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation. SKF’s Wellness Program includes employees and spouses. It offers eligibility for premium discounts and richer benefits based on wellness program participation. They offer checks on blood pressure, BMI, and triglyceride levels and follow-ups with employees by health professionals. The company encourages walking and provides pedometers and a chance to win cash and prizes to those that participate. They provide annual flu shots to employees including temporary employees and all family members.
Large Company Award (251+ Employees)
Hall County Sheriff’s Office
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is a Certified Drug-Free Workplace through the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation. The Sheriff’s Department has four full-service fitness centers along with a physical testing center. The department requires that all new hires and current employees take a Physical Ability Assessment and offers onsite Boot Camps for employees. Incentives, such as gift cards, are offered to employees for meeting designated goals and showing initiative. They teach mandatory health and wellness classes and have a full-time Health and Fitness Coordinator on staff. The Sheriff’s Department offers guidance to businesses that seek to create an employee wellness program, and they teach Health and Wellness to 5th Graders as part of the ADVANCE program. The Sheriff’s Office has a total of 367 full-time employees (civilian & law enforcement) with four full fitness centers and plans for a new fitness center at the North Precinct and new headquarters.
Large Company Award (251+ Employees)
Brenau University
Brenau University is a private, nonprofit, university that was established in 1878. Brenau University employs over 1100 full-time and part-time employees and has a student enrollment approaching 3000 in undergraduate and graduate programs. Brenau is a certified Drug-Free Workplace. Brenau has an on site Center for Health and Well being, a fitness center with a swimming pool, an outdoor walking route known as the "Brenau Mile", employee safety training sessions, and annual weight-loss competitions with incentives for participants. Brenau operates a Wellness Cooperative through an academic program encouraging participants to work with faculty in the Health Sciences to develop individualized programs focused on wellness of body, mind, and spirit. The university offers healthy dining options for employees in the on campus dining facilities. This year the university completed a new stress research lab that employees may utilize to develop stress reduction techniques.
Past Most Fit Company Award Recipients:
Ace Hardware
Adams Transfer & Storage
Alkermes
Baldor Electric
Aqua-Terra Recycling & Treatment
Cargill
City of Gainesville
District 2 Public Health
Electronic Sales
Fieldale
Georgia Mountains Regional Commission
Hall County Government
Harris Products
HTI Employment Solutions
Kipper Tool Company
Mansfield Oil
Merial Select
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
ProCare Rx
Sapa Extrusions
The Longstreet Clinic
Watkins Total Health Care
