8 Employee Wellness Awards that Every Company Should Aspire to Win

Have you ever considered what an employee wellness award could mean for your organization? It's not just a trophy or title. It is a robust recognition of your efforts to create a workplace where employees are supported and valued.

These awards celebrate organizations that prioritize employee health, mental well-being, work-life balance, and happiness. They're a testament to leadership and recognize employees as the heart of a thriving business.

So, how can you earn one of these awards? It starts with meeting eligibility criteria. Most awards look for initiatives that deliver measurable results. They also look for programs that show your commitment. To recognize employees' needs and make a tangible difference.

These awards often include categories tailored to specific wellness areas. Be it mental health support and fitness challenges or flexible work policies. They let you showcase what you do best.

And who grants these awards? Prestigious organizations like;
• The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA)
• Business Group on Health
• The American Psychological Association (APA)

These organizations lead the way. Making these accolades a credible recognition of your efforts.

Winning an employee wellness award sends a powerful message. It shows your team and the world that you recognize employees' contributions and invest in their well-being. It boosts morale and enhances your reputation. It also helps attract talent who values an employee-first culture.

In this blog, we'll explore top wellness awards. Explore how they can help create a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and recognized. Ready to take the next step?

8 Prestigious Workplace Wellness Awards Every Company Should Know

Here are eight such awards your workplace should know about and strive to win.

1. Global Healthy Workplace Awards

Purpose and Significance: This award recognizes organizations worldwide for exceptional workplace wellness programs that foster a healthy, engaged, and productive workforce.

Key Qualifications:

Measurable wellness outcomes.

Innovative and sustainable health initiatives.

Open to small, medium, large, and multinational enterprises.

Tiers of Recognition: SMEs, Large Enterprises, and Multinational Enterprises.

What Sets It Apart: Emphasis on global scalability, sustainability, and tangible employee health improvements.

Recognition or Perks: The perks include global visibility, networking opportunities, and enhanced credibility.

How to Apply and Tips: Submit detailed data on your wellness programs and their outcomes. Focus on global applicability and measurable impact.

2.Well Workplace Awards

Purpose and Significance: Celebrates organizations excelling in wellness initiatives aligned with WELCOA's 7 Benchmarks of Success.

Key Qualifications:

Adherence to WELCOA's benchmarks.

Demonstrable results in employee health and engagement.

Tiers of Recognition: The tiers are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Small Business categories.

What Sets It Apart: Encourages continuous improvement through a structured wellness framework.

Recognition or Perks: The perks are national recognition, employer branding, and access to WELCOA resources.

How to Apply and Tips: Highlight measurable outcomes and align strategies with WELCOA's benchmarks.

3. Healthiest Employers Awards

Purpose and Significance: Honors organizations prioritize employee health through innovative, data-driven wellness strategies.

Key Qualifications:

Use of measurable tools to track and enhance wellness.

Show commitment to fostering a culture of health and engagement.

Tiers of Recognition: Regional and national levels of recognition.

What Sets It Apart: Strong emphasis on analytics and return on investment for wellness programs.

Recognition or Perks: The perks include media features, enhanced employer branding, and visibility as a health-focused employer.

How to Apply and Tips: Provide metrics and data showcasing the success of your initiatives.

4.Workplace Wellness Awards

Purpose and Significance: Celebrates exceptional workplace mental health and physical wellness while recognizing employee engagement efforts.
Key Qualifications:

Introduce innovative programs with tangible impact.

Bring in strategies addressing employee health holistically.

Tiers of Recognition: Multiple categories based on focus areas.

What Sets It Apart: Recognition for creative and employee-centric wellness initiatives.

Recognition or Perks: The perks are industry visibility through media coverage and recognition events.

How to Apply and Tips: Showcase creativity and measurable impact in your application.

5. Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Awards

Purpose and Significance: Rewards companies with outstanding health and wellness initiatives that improve employees' quality of life.

Key Qualifications:

Try to demonstrate commitment to holistic health programs.

Measurable results in wellness outcomes.

Tiers of Recognition: Categories often vary but include multiple levels of recognition.

What Sets It Apart: Focuses on holistic and lifestyle-driven health initiatives.

Recognition or Perks: The perks include enhanced employer branding and industry-wide acknowledgment.

How to Apply and Tips: Detail the effectiveness and outcomes of your wellness programs.

6. Robert W. Campbell Award

Purpose and Significance: Recognizes integrating safety, health, and environmental management into business success.

Key Qualifications:

The proven integration of EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) practices.
A clear impact on organizational performance.

Tiers of Recognition: Single top winner annually.

What Sets It Apart: Combines wellness, safety, and environmental management in evaluation criteria.

Recognition or Perks: Global acknowledgment and enhanced reputation as an industry leader.

How to Apply and Tips: Focus on EHS strategies with measurable impacts on business outcomes.

7. Fit-Friendly Worksites Award

Purpose and Significance: Presented by the American Heart Association, this award acknowledges employers who go above and beyond in promoting employee health and well-being.

Key Qualifications:

Implement a physical activity support initiative.

Promotion of a wellness culture.

Adherence to specific health criteria set by the American Heart Association.

Tiers of Recognition: Levels include Gold, Platinum, Worksite Innovation, and Community Innovation.

What Sets It Apart: Focuses on cardiovascular health and encourages workplaces to implement comprehensive wellness programs.

Recognition or Perks: Recipients receive recognition in the Honor Roll on the American Heart Association’s website and consultation on workplace wellness, CPR/AED programs, and more.

How to Apply and Tips: Ensure your wellness initiatives align with the award's criteria, emphasizing physical activity and heart health.

8. Everett Koop National Health Awards

Purpose and Significance: Recognizes organizations with exemplary health promotion and disease prevention programs that demonstrate effectiveness in improving employee health and economic outcomes.

Key Qualifications:

Documented health improvement among employees.

Demonstrated economic impact and cost savings.

Comprehensive health promotion strategies.

Tiers of Recognition: Single annual award.

What Sets It Apart: Emphasizes measurable health improvements and economic benefits, requiring detailed documentation of outcomes.

Recognition or Perks: Enhances credibility and showcases the organization's commitment to employee health and well-being.

How to Apply and Tips: Prepare thorough documentation of your program's health and economic outcomes, highlighting measurable success.

Final Words

As a leader, prioritizing employee wellness is more than just the right thing to do—it's a strategic advantage.

Wellness awards reflect your organization's commitment to creating a supportive, productive, thriving workplace. They celebrate your efforts to recognize employees' well-being as a cornerstone of success.

Winning these awards boosts your company's reputation, enhances employee engagement, and improves retention and morale. Whether your focus is on mental health, physical fitness, or holistic well-being, there's an award that aligns with your vision.

By striving for these accolades, you're not just chasing recognition—you're building a culture that employees value and respect. Take the first step toward showcasing your commitment to employee wellness.

Leverage the Vantage Fit app to elevate your wellness initiatives. Stand out in the race for recognition. Our platform empowers organizations to prioritize employee well-being with tailored solutions designed to drive measurable impact. Start today, and take a step closer to achieving wellness awards while fostering a healthier, happier workforce.

Apply for the awards that align with your goals and elevate your workplace culture. A healthier workforce leads to a healthier business.

"To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace." – Doug Conant.

FAQ

1) How often are wellness awards given?

Award programs are typically annual, though some are quarterly or semi-annual.

2) What are the trends in employee wellness programs that award committees value the most?

Committees value innovative wellness plans, mental health focus, sustainability, and measurable outcomes. Explore more on workplace wellness trends.

3) What happens if your company doesn't win?

Leverage award panel feedback to improve your program and strengthen future applications. Winning is about growth and celebrating progress.

4) Are there any fees associated with applying for wellness awards?

Yes, most award programs charge an application fee, which varies by organization.

5) How to build an award-winning employee wellness program?

Focus on employee needs, measurable goals, holistic initiatives, and technology. For more, please read our guide on creating a corporate wellness program.