Hawai'i employers honored for focus on health
Advertiser Staff
Six employers have earned top honors for workplace health from the Hawaii Psychological Association on the basis of health, safety and security; career development; employee involvement; family support; and community support.
• Small Business (fewer than 100 employees): Hawaii Business Equipment. The entire company practices "kaizen," the philosophy of continuous improvement. Every employee is in a kaizen group that addresses issues ranging from increasing productivity to workplace stress. Managers and supervisors attend an eight-month training program. The company provides tuition reimbursement for all employees to further their education in job-related areas, and there is ongoing education in new products, sales and technical support.
• Large Business: Hilton Waikoloa Village. The organization was rated "excellent" in all five categories. Employee involvement is encouraged through pau-hana luncheons the hotel manager holds with teams (not "departments") to discuss ideas and concerns; surveys are given to all each year for comments and suggestions. One unique avenue of employee involvement is the Empowerment Program. It gives Hotel Empowerment Guidelines and a list of possible problems that might occur, together with a list of possible solutions. So team members can use their discretion, for example, in providing a hotel guest who complains with a complimentary breakfast or free transportation.
• Nonprofit Organization: Castle Medical Center. The hospital won recognition for its health-related programs and benefits. Workers are offered a regular health screening program with wellness counseling and feedback designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Castle also gives workers a continuing education allowance. Other programs include childcare and workout facilities and access to classes in yoga, aerobics and many other programs. The employee cafeteria is vegetarian.
• Military Unit: 115th Military Intelligence Group. The group's Human Development Program, a proactive and comprehensive approach to supporting the group's readiness, is being considered for use throughout the Army. The program for soldiers, their dependents and families replaces an approach focused on illness and problems with one based on wellness.
• Government Agency: Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Hawaii Health Systems Corp. ranked superior in all categories. The organization of 112 hospitals has a safety awareness program that resulted in a drop in workplace injuries and an increase in return-to-work status of injured employees. HHSC provides multiple training opportunities for all employees in support of career advancement.
Of note at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility was the Beneficial Suggestion Program, which encourages employees to submit ideas that produce cost savings, giving recognition and financial rewards to those whose ideas are adopted.
