WHITE COUNTY - Gov. Mike Beebe recently presented White County Medical Center with a 2008 Governor's Work-Life Balance award at a ceremony at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.
The Work-Life Balance awards recognize Arkansas employers for providing resources that support employees in balancing the needs of work and family. Nineteen Arkansas employers received awards in the sixth-annual ceremony, formerly named the Governor's Family-Friendly Awards.
"Today, our employees still have responsibilities to their immediate family members. Often, the needs of adult children must be considered, as well as the care of older loved ones or those with debilitating illnesses," Beebe said. "These companies provide incredible strength to their employees and, in turn, help to promote a better future for the families of our state."
WCMC offers on-site day care associates' families. Workers have opportunities for career growth and continued education. Several wellness programs, including fitness classes, Weight Watchers groups and massage therapy, are available on campus.
WCMC also promotes good health through a program called Wellness Pays, which motivates participants to make healthy lifestyle choices thatimprove their overall quality of life through incentives linked to associates' medical insurance premiums.
"Our associates are our greatest resource. As a service company, the backbone of our existence is our team's quality of medical care and customer service," WCMC President and CEO Ray Montgomery said. "In today's life/work experiences,it is important to create flexibility in work schedules and duties to accommodate the diversity of work/family pressures and needs."
In the large employer category, WCMC tied with the University of Arkansas for the bronze award.
With more than 1,350 associates, WCMC is the second-largest employer in Searcy.
Three Rivers, Pages 132 on 05/18/2008