Melaleuca 2004 Healthy Workplace Award

Melaleuca was one of only 16 companies nationwide and the first Idaho-based company to receive the American Psychological Association’s “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award.”

“The best practices employed by Melaleuca serve as a model for corporate America, which is beginning to understand that employees are their best asset,” says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., the APA’s executive director for professional practice. “A little investment in psychologically healthy workplaces can pay big dividends in years to come.”

Specifically, the APA recognized Melaleuca for developing a flexible shift schedule program, allowing employees to work at times that support their lives outside the office. Students, parents and grandparents can work full time, part time or a couple of days a month.

“The scientific and anecdotal evidence prove that happier employees are more productive employees,” Newman says. “In addition to honoring Melaleuca for its achievements, we are showcasing these unique programs to demonstrate to others there are many things that can be done to create psychologically healthy workplaces.”

Prior to this nationwide recognition, the Idaho Psychological Association awarded Melaleuca for the state-level “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award,” which is given to organizations for business practices that foster a healthy environment. Melaleuca received this recognition for hosting monthly roudtables, operating a child-care facility and offering tuition reimbursement. The Wellness Company also offers an on-campus health club and provides employees with Melaleuca’s Vitality for Life® supplements each month.

Melaleuca Receives National Award for Healthy Workplace Practices

American Psychological Association Recognizes Melaleuca for Developing Best Practices in Employee Well-being

Idaho Falls, Idaho – June 16, 2004 – Melaleuca has been selected as a recipient of the American Psychological Association (APA)’s “The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Best Practices Honors,” recognizing companies with innovative programs and policies that support psychologically healthy work environments. Melaleuca, a manufacturer and distributor of more than 300 consumer products, is the first Idaho-based company to receive this national award and is one of 16 companies nationwide to receive the award this year.

“The best practices employed by Melaleuca serve as a model for corporate America, which is beginning to understand that employees are their best asset,” says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., the APA’s executive director for professional practice. “A little investment in psychologically healthy workplaces can pay big dividends in years to come.”

Specifically, the APA recognized Melaleuca for its best practice of developing a flexible shift schedule program, giving employees the option of working at times that support their family life. With nearly 70 different shift schedules, the program has produced a workforce at Melaleuca that includes students, parents and grandparents who can work full-time, part-time or a couple of days a month. The company attributes this best practice as an effective way to recruit, train and retain a knowledgeable, experienced workforce.

Prior to the APA’s selection, Melaleuca was honored by the Idaho Psychological Association as a winner of The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award. This award is given to organizations at the state level for business practices that foster a healthy work environment. The judging process evaluates the following four criteria: employee involvement, family support, employee growth and development and health and safety.

Melaleuca received this statewide recognition for hosting monthly employee roundtables, operating a child-care facility and offering tuition reimbursement. It holds annual internal career fairs and ongoing supervisory training programs. In addition, The Wellness Company offers discounts to health clubs and provides employees with Melaleuca’s Daily for Life vitamin pack and nearly $80 of health products each month.

Studies show companies not only benefit from their psychologically healthy workplace practices, they pay a very real price for inaction. A report from the Journal of Occupational Health and Medicine shows that health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress. Consider this as corporate healthcare costs continue to accelerate with no slowdown in sight. According to a recent survey by Mercer, there was a 14.7% increase overall in 2002 in corporate healthcare costs.

“The scientific and anecdotal evidence prove that happier employees are more productive employees,” says Newman. “In addition to honoring Melaleuca for its achievements, we are showcasing these unique programs to demonstrate to others there are many things that can be done to create psychologically healthy workplaces.”

About The American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its 53 divisions and its affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare.