General Mills recognized as one of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles by the National Business Group on Health
General Mills earns Gold Award for workplace wellness programs
06/24/2009
The National Business Group on Health today honored General Mills for its commitment to workplace health and wellness programs with a “Best Employers for Health Lifestyles” Gold Award.
General Mills was among 63 large employers recognized at the National Business Group on Health’s Joint Summit of the Institutes on Health Care Costs and Solutions & the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. General Mills’ 2008 Gold Award recognizes the company for creating cultural and environmental changes to support employees committed to long-term behavior changes. General Mills received a Gold Award in 2008 and 2007 and a Silver Award in 2006.
“This national recognition affirms the more than 20-year commitment General Mills has had to providing education and activities to keep employees positively engaged in their own wellness,” said Dr. Timothy Crimmins, vice president for health, safety and environment at General Mills. “General Mills believes that a balanced lifestyle of nutrition and physical fitness leads to a healthy lifestyle and a productive work life. Americans spend much of their lives at work. Making the workplace safe and keeping our employees free of preventable illness is our goal.”
The company offers a broad spectrum of health education and wellness programs, preventive care, and medical treatment. For example, at General Mills’ corporate headquarters, employees have convenient access to services that enhance both health and quality of life, such as an on-site fitness center, healthy cooking classes and same-day medical appointments at the company’s on-site preventive health clinic.
At General Mills’ manufacturing locations around the country, groups of employees develop locally-driven programs that appeal to their fitness goals or motivations, such as 5K walk/runs, fitness competitions or nutrition classes.
In 2004, General Mills’ in-house health services staff developed the General Mills Health Number screening tool. This personalized health risk assessment can help employees identify health risks, motivate healthy lifestyle changes, and learn about health and wellness resources.
“We are proud to recognize 63 large employers for their unparalleled commitment to a healthy workplace and for making their employees’ health and well-being a top priority,” said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. “Employers know first-hand that a healthy workforce is essential to increasing productivity and to maintaining a competitive edge in the new global economy.”
Now in its fifth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards acknowledge and reward those employers that recognize the urgent need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.
Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.
About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had fiscal 2008 global net sales of US$14.9 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. Visit www.generalmills.com.
For More Information, Contact:
Maerenn Jepsen
General Mills
763-764-6364
