ESI’s Healthy Workplace Initiatives Celebrated with Two New Awards
Plano, TX (PRWEB) February 13, 2014 -- ESI, an innovative designer and manufacturer of high-performance business telephone systems and cloud services, today announced its recognition as a 2014 Healthiest 100 Workplace in America. The company also achieved Gold status in the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksite program.
“At ESI, our team’s health has always been a top priority. But after implementing a gamified incentive program four years ago, the results have been astounding,” said George Platt, ESI’s chief executive officer. “Every day – rain or shine – you’ll see employees taking a break by walking outside, and many have experienced significant weight loss. If you add up the total distance we’ve walked, it’s the equivalent of walking around the earth five times.”
“Our employee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Becki Veal, ESI’s director of human resources. “In fact, two company executives individually lost over 60 pounds from our program, and nicotine use has decreased from 29 to four employees within 18 months.”
ESI’s Health Incentives Program
Veal continued, “It’s commonly believed that unhealthy lifestyle choices result in higher medical and insurance costs, so we decided to put this to the test with an incentive program that impacts health insurance premiums.”
ESI’s wellness program urges employees to get tested in eight different factors – including diastolic and systolic blood pressure numbers, cholesterol ratio and LDL, fasting glucose, triglycerides, body fat index, and waist measurement – as established by the American Heart Association. After the health assessment is conducted, the employee’s insurance premium is set based on the results.
The highest discount is given to those who qualify in six out of the eight categories. Any employee opting out of the physical or qualifying in less than four categories receives the next reduced discount and if the employee uses nicotine in any form, they are ineligible for the wellness discounts.
As an added initiative, ESI introduced Sonic Boom Wellness in 2012, an online social networking wellness program focused on activity, nutrition and weight loss. With Sonic Boom’s high-tech tracking devices, competitions and games, ESI is able to add an extra layer of fun and support to its health initiatives.
About ESI’s Awards
The 2014 Healthiest 100 Workplaces award is a year-long program that recognizes exceptional achievement and leadership in building a healthy and productive workplace. The program includes a two-stage assessment process, and culminates in a ranking of the top companies spanning all sizes, region and industries.
The American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksite program is conducted twice a year, recognizing organizations that go above and beyond in supporting employee health. ESI achieved its Gold status based on its programs that offer physical and nutritional support.
About Estech Systems, Inc. (ESI)
Estech Systems, Inc. (ESI) delivers high-performance phone systems designed for businesses and organizations. A premier provider of cloud- and premise-based unified communications solutions, ESI offers uniquely innovative and integrated systems that enable its channel partners to deliver differentiated, intuitive and affordable VoIP communications. Founded in 1987, ESI has sold more than 300,000 business communications systems through hundreds of certified resellers. ESI is a privately held corporation with headquarters in Plano, Texas. For more information about ESI and its products, visit http://www.esi-estech.com.
Farah Ali, Idea Grove, +1 (972) 850-5886, [email protected]
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