FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Bryan Schaaf
Certified Angus Beef LLC
330-345-2333, ext. 207
brschaaf@certifiedangusbeef.com
CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF LLC RECOGNIZED FOR WORKPLACE PRACTICES
Receives Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award and Best Practices Honor
from American Psychological Association
WOOSTER, Ohio – March, 15, 2012 – In recognition of its workplace practices promoting
employee well-being and organizational performance, Certified Angus Beef LLC has received
the American Psychological Association’s 2012 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award at a
ceremony in Washington, D.C.
One of five employers across North America to receive the award, Certified Angus Beef LLC
won in the not-for-profit category. The company is a previous winner of the Ohio Psychological
Association’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, qualifying it to be nominated for the
APA award.
The premium beef company excelled in its efforts to foster employee involvement, health and
safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. The
company’s emotional well-being program, comprehensive wellness efforts and robust training
initiatives are several examples of the workplace practices that helped it earn the 2012 award.
The APA also recognized the non-profit beef company as a Best Practices honoree for its
innovative use of on-site psychological services.
The psychologically healthy workplace practices at Certified Angus Beef LLC have reaped
rewards for both the organization and its employees. The wellness program saved the company
$100,000 in insurance premiums in its first year, and, in 2011, turnover was just 1 percent.
Through these programs, the company has created a healthy and positive work environment
where employees are proud to work.
“We’re honored and humbled to be selected for this award,” says Certified Angus Beef LLC
Senior Vice President Brent Eichar. “We believe strongly that employees who are both
physically and emotionally fulfilled help promote a positive work environment. The practices
we’ve been able to put in place are evident not only in our bottom line as a company, but in our
overall dealings with each other. It all contributes to the culture we enjoy on a daily basis.”
Certified Angus Beef LLC employees can participate in a comprehensive wellness program that
includes a free annual Health Risk Assessment and follow-up consultations. Furthermore, the
company has contracted with a clinical psychologist who serves as the organization’s emotional
wellness specialist and Employee Assistance Program provider. These services are available to
employees at no charge and on company time.
-more-
-2Certification programs, conferences, e-learning, job rotation, shadowing, professional association
memberships, professional publications and tuition reimbursement all help employees develop
and thrive professionally. The company’s family-oriented structure also gives employees a
generous time-off package. Certified Angus Beef LLC leadership believes in publicly
recognizing employees for their contributions to the organization, as well as for professional and
personal accomplishments through staff breakfasts and at an annual service awards dinner.
“We have a 34-year history of great leadership and employee culture,” says Pam Cottrell,
Certified Angus Beef LLC Director of Human Resources. “What we’ve seen is a deeper sense of
pride and loyalty, which leads to increased employee engagement and productivity. Being
recognized for this award is confirmation that we’re doing the right things in creating a
workplace culture that truly makes a difference in the health and well-being of our employees.”
The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards are designed to showcase the very best from
among the award winners recognized by APA’s affiliated state, provincial and territorial
psychological associations. Nominees are evaluated on their workplace practices in the areas of
employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance
and employee recognition. Awards are given to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations as well
as government, military and educational institutions.
“The business world is in the midst of a sea change,” says David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, head
of APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program. “Successful organizations have learned
that high performance and sustainable results require attention to the relationships among
employees, organization, customer and community. Forward-thinking employers such as
Certified Angus Beef LLC are taking steps to create an organizational culture that promotes both
well-being and business success.”
More information about APA’s PHWA winners and Best Practices honorees is available at
www.phwa.org/media. Organizations interested in learning more about creating a
psychologically healthy workplace or applying for an award in their state, province or territory
can visit www.phwa.org.
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Nearly 16,000 businesses partner with the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, generating an estimated $4 billion in
consumer sales annually, with retailers and restaurants in the United States and 43 other countries.
Introduced in 1978, the Certified Angus Beef ® brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select thanks to
10 strict quality standards. For more information, visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com or follow the brand on
Facebook, Twitter or the blog at www.GoRare.com.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., 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 154,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants,
and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and
Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a
means of promoting health, education, and human welfare.