Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce celebrate honorees with $10K donation to United Way COVID-19 Response Fund

PROVIDENCE, RI  (23 de noviembre de 2020) – In recognition of Rhode Island employers’ successful efforts to advance employee wellness and build a healthier Rhode Island, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber") have honored 37 local businesses with Worksite Health Awards. This year, companies were recognized for their support of employees’ physical and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Worksite Health Awards are an opportunity for employers to learn from best practices while showcasing the advances being made every day to improve the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders at work. This year, the “Create & Innovate" section of the questionnaire asked how employers have supported their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. BCBSRI has contributed $10,000 to the United Way COVID-19 Response Fund in honor of all the applicants and their commitment to employees during the pandemic.

“Employee wellness has been upended in 2020 and we’ve all had to rethink how we support the health and mental well-being of our workforce while everyone is either working virtually or working on-site under strict safety and social-distancing regulations," said Melissa Cummings, BCBSRI executive vice president and chief customer officer. “I was really impressed with how Rhode Island employers have stepped up to the challenge and kept employees safe with things like virtual walking challenges, virtual games like bingo, jeopardy and trivia, and creating self care kits that were hand delivered to employee homes."

“2020 has been challenging for all businesses and for our community as a whole. That’s why it is with particular pride this year that the Chamber is pleased to once again partner with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to recognize the outstanding efforts of so many Rhode Island businesses, which have demonstrated their support of their employees’ physical and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s honorees are examples of the grit, determination, creativity and ability to innovate that not only typify the dedicated employee wellness professionals who come up with the ideas and put them into practice, but also of all those businesses in our state that strive daily to overcome the trials of the current situation to continue to serve their customers and take care of their people."   

All Rhode Island businesses are eligible to apply for Worksite Health Awards, which are awarded annually, including small (100 or fewer employees) and large businesses (more than 100 employees). Winners selected are those that demonstrate exceptional health and wellness programs and health-oriented workplace policies. For more information about the Worksite Health Awards and a full list of winners, please visit bcbsri.com/worksitehealth.