Michelin North America Awarded for New Health Programme

The National Business Group on Health – a US based non-profit organisation that works with large employers to find solutions to health care and related benefits issues – has acknowledged Michelin North America as a corporation with innovative programmes that promote a healthy workplace and help employees make better choices about their own health and well being.

The tyre manufacturer was among 63 companies that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the National Business Group on Health’s annual health care summit in Washington, DC. Michelin received a Silver Award for the design and concept of its ‘Choose Well-Live Well’ programme. This is the first year Michelin has been selected for this award.

“Michelin’s employees are undoubtedly our company’s greatest asset,” said Martin Storey, director of benefits for Michelin North America. “This award validates the company’s commitment to enhancing quality of life for employees by helping them improve overall health. The Choose Well-Live Well program is an innovative approach to wellness that provides employees with the tools and resources they need to help make informed health care decisions. It also prompts them to think about health care and wellness in a completely new way.”

Launched in January 2009, the Choose Well-Live Well program is a long-term strategy that provides each Michelin employee and their family with a health advocate to help navigate the health care system and improve efficiency through better coordination of care. Choose Well-Live Well shifts the primary focus of health care from treatment of illness to wellness, prevention and quality of care. The programme also integrates preventative care and consumer-driven medical plan design with healthy food choices, health risk assessments, health coaching, weight management, condition management, case management, financial incentives, and enhanced employee assistance programme services.

“Successfully launching a fully integrated program of this magnitude to Michelin employees across the United States has required a considerable amount of research, development, communication and teamwork across the organisation. We are very proud to be recognised by the National Business Group on Health for our efforts,” added Storey.

Michelin explains that the organisation’s awards recognise those employers that have embraced a culture of wellness and are working collaboratively to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the programme, Michelin adds, is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.

“As one of 63 companies recognised this year for their employee health and wellness programs, Michelin is at the vanguard of a national movement to promote a system-wide culture of health emphasising prevention, exercise and eating right,” said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. “More than ever, a healthy workforce is critical to helping America’s large employers compete in the global marketplace. Michelin is to be applauded for making health and wellness an integral part of their workplace.”

Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honoured in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programmes with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behaviour changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or serves to promote living a healthier lifestyle.