'Healthiest Places to Work' recognized

When The Glenn Group three years ago began planning the remodeling of its new office space at 50 Washington St., interior designer Dana Rose Richardson pushed hard to create an environmentally conscious workplace.

Richardson, who died in early 2010, probably wouldn't have been surprised to learn that a green workplace sustains more than the environment.

It also sustains the people who work for the advertising and public relations agency.

The Glenn Group was recognized as one of three winners in the inaugural "Healthiest Places to Work" competition sponsored by The Reno-Sparks Chamber as part of its annual healthcare forum.

Along with The Glenn Group, which won as a medium-sized employer, organizations that were recognized include Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in the small-employer category and International Game Technology among large employers.

In selecting The Glenn Group, judges noted the direct benefits on employees' health from some of the decisions made by the company in its remodeling. It chose, for instance, to use low-VOC paints.

And Valerie Glenn, president and chief executive officer of the firm, says the environmentally friendly design has encouraged employees to be more conscious of their personal health taking noontime walks along the nearby Truckee River, for instance.

"It has become a way of life for us," she says. "Our employees enjoy our environment. Our clients love to be here."

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, meanwhile, takes a more traditional approach to creation of a healthy workplace.

The nonprofit provides paid health insurance to all employees, provides medications at cost and offers an Employee Assistance Program.

A wellness committee dubbed "Upbeat" purchased stress-relief toys for all employees, then followed up with reminders through voice-mail messages, e-mail popups and and printed materials.

Alison Gaulden, vice president of Nevada public affairs for the group, notes that junk food is limited during employee meetings, and healthy options are featured.

IGT provides a wide range of wellness program at its facilities in Reno.

Heather Eggert, health and wellness supervisor for IGT, says the company believes an investment in health and wellness will pay off as employees identify and control health conditions before they become chronic and expensive to manage.

The Reno facility includes a full workout facility with cardio and weight equipment that provides a daily schedule of group exercise classes. Other employees use indoor and outdoor walking paths.

The catering company that serves the facility includes a "spotlite" healthy meal. Employees who purchase nine of the healthy meals receive the 10th free.

Weight Watchers provides a weekly meeting on site, the company provides prizes to employees who participate in wellness initiatives, workers can reduce their health insurance premiums by $25 per pay period by completing health-risk assessments, and IGT provides a health coach to qualifying employees.