National Business Group on Health Honors Union Pacific as One of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles

Union Pacific Again Receives Platinum Award for Healthy Workplace Programs

Omaha, Neb.– For the third year in a row, The National Business Group on Health, a national non-profit organization of 266 large employers, has honored Union Pacific for its commitment and dedication to combating obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle for its employees.

Union Pacific is one of 41 employers to receive the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Leadership Summit sponsored by the Business Group’s Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. The railroad is one of eleven companies to receive a Platinum Award for health programs to improve employees’ lifestyle behaviors.

“We are again honored to receive this recognition from the National Business Group on Health,” said Barb Schaefer, senior vice president-Human Resources. “We’ve been working to improve the health of our employees for more than 20 years, and we know that supporting our employees and their families in their efforts to stay healthy is a win-win decision. That’s why we continue to support existing programs, and roll out new health and wellness initiatives across our system.”

Union Pacific’s health improvement programs include HealthTrack, a “health index” report card that provides feedback to managers related to their support of health and safety efforts at the railroad. This unique system provides key health metrics to managers at each major company site. Additionally, Union Pacific has introduced aggressive intervention programs to reduce workplace accidents and improve employee health.

Across its 23-state operating area, Union Pacific integrates its health messages and programs into the business structure of its mechanical shops and transportation service units. Health screenings and health fairs are conducted during regular business meetings. A network of regional health coordinators and onsite occupational health nurses ensures that wellness activities are part of employees’ daily lives.

“We are very pleased to honor Union Pacific for its support and dedication to providing a lifestyle improvement program designed to reduce obesity and promote healthier lifestyles,” said Helen Darling, President of the Business Group. “Union Pacific understands the importance of supporting employees’ efforts to choose a healthier way of life.”

Now in its third 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 that have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.

In recent weeks Union Pacific also received a Platinum Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Council of the Midlands (WELCOM). Union Pacific was one of three recipients of a Platinum award – given to businesses with a corporate culture that completely embraces wellness and is achieving measurable outcomes.