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Certified Angus Beef LLC Recognized for Promoting Employee Well-being, Performance
Receives Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from American Psychological Association
WOOSTER, Ohio – March 20, 2014— In recognition of its efforts to create a healthy, high-performing work environment, Certified Angus Beef LLC received the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2014 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this month. One of four employers from across North America to receive the award this year, the organization won in the small not-for-profit category. The organization is a previous winner of the Ohio Psychological Association’s state-level Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, qualifying it to be nominated for the APA award.
The company, which works with cattle ranchers, retailers and chefs to market the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, excelled in its efforts to foster employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. The organization’s wide-ranging wellness efforts, development opportunities and commitment to work-life balance are several examples of the workplace practices that helped earn a 2014 award.
The Wooster, Ohio, company’s psychologically healthy workplace practices have reaped rewards for both the organization and its employees. Since beginning its health and wellness initiatives, the company has enjoyed single-digit renewal increases in health insurance premiums, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“The health and well-being of our employees and their families are very important,” says Brent Eichar, the brand’s senior vice president. “When we are at our best, we better serve our families, our community, our customers and the Certified Angus Beef ® brand that we proudly represent.”
Divisional brainstorming sessions, biweekly breakfast meetings, team-building training, workshops and community outreach all build positive relationships among team members. Their progressive approach to health issues includes a comprehensive wellness program that pays for gym membership, provides periodic group stretch sessions, facilitates a bimonthly weight-loss management group, and offers optional weigh-ins, blood-pressure checks and 15- to 30-minute one-on-one coaching sessions. A clinical psychologist is onsite monthly as well, providing stress management sessions and confidential one-on-one appointments at no cost to employees.
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Certified Angus Beef LLC, PHWA Winner, Page 2
Employees are challenged and encouraged for career growth through opportunities for learning and development, including a yearlong, onsite Leadership Development Series that is open to all employees. The family-centered culture allows staff to deal with unexpected life needs, issues or emergencies with the full support of management. The company also sponsors the services of a certified financial planner, an attorney, a chair masseuse, and dry-cleaning and alteration services. All services are available at a substantial discount or free of charge.
“Forward-thinking employers such as Certified Angus Beef LLC are going beyond the typical wellness program to focus on a broader view of well-being,” says David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, head of APA’s Center for Organizational Excellence. “When an employer is truly committed to helping employees thrive, psychologically healthy workplace principles become ingrained in the very norms, values and beliefs that are part of the organization’s culture. In turn, this helps employees perform at their best, on and off the job.”
APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards are designed to showcase the very best from among the award winners recognized by APA’s affiliated state, provincial and territorial psychological associations. Nominees are evaluated on their workplace practices in the areas of employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. Awards are given to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations as well as government, military and educational institutions.
More information about APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award winners and Best Practices honorees is available at Organizations interested in learning more about creating a psychologically healthy workplace or applying for an award in their state, province or territory can visit Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program is a public education initiative from APA’s Center for Organizational Excellence.
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The Certified Angus Beef® brand is the best Angus beef available and a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. Ten standards ensure its premium quality and incredible flavor, tenderness and juiciness in every bite. It is proudly featured by more than 14,000 restaurants and retailers around the world. For more information, visit follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter, or read the brand’s blog at
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA’s membership includes more than 134,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.