Posted on: Saturday, November 4, 2006
Healthy workplaces recognized
Advertiser Staff
The Hawai'i Psychological Association announced the winners yesterday of the 6th annual Healthy Workplace Awards, a statewide program intended to promote healthful working environments.
Accepting the honors at a Hilton Hawaiian Village HPA Convention luncheon were the the following organizations:
The Wai'anae Comprehensive Health Center won the Non-Profit Award for its employee wellness program that encourages emotional and physical fitness.
The State Department of Human Resource Development won the Government Award for integrating the theme "work is fun and healthy" into all aspects of the workplace.
The 624th Regional Support Group, an Air Force Reserve organization, took the Military Award for its 624 RSG's safety representatives that stress and monitor safety regulations throughout the group, resulting in only one injury in the past two years.
Tetra Tech was given the Small Business Award for the company's principles that encourage collaboration, team work, openness, flexibility scheduling and equality for all employees.
The Kapalua Land Company (KLC) and the Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS) tied for the Large Business Award — KLC for its employee chartered Kapalua Wellness Committee that promotes balanced lives, and DLS for its recognition of the company's employees as its greatest asset and for its cost effectiveness, customer focus and integrity.
The link between worker satisfaction in the work environment and increased productivity is clear, said Don Kopf, Ph.D, a member of the Healthy Workplace Awards committee. He said more than 60 percent of the workplace absences are related to psychological problems and more than 90 percent of all workplace accidents are caused by personal and stress-related problems.
The awards foster awareness of health and safety in the work environment, Kopf added.
The Hawai'i Psychological Association was chartered in 1962 and today represents some 300 Hawai'i psychologists. The association's mission is to advance the science and practice of psychology while supporting excellence in education, training, research, advocacy and service.
