UP named 2011 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles

Union Pacific Railroad was named one of the 2011 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award winners from the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). Union Pacific earned platinum status each year since the award's inception in 2005 and is one of only six U.S. employers to earn platinum status each of the last five years. The company is the only railroad or transportation provider among the companies honored by the NBGH, which recognized employers that responded to the need to improve their workers' health, productivity and quality of life. Union Pacific Wellness, the railroad's health promotion initiative, encourages employees to lead a healthy life. The program assesses and provides intervention support for 11 health risk factors: asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, fatigue, inactivity, nutrition, smoking, stress and weight. Risk identification and reduction programs consist of wellness assessments and biometric screenings, lifestyle management, tobacco cessation, system health facilities, education programs, research grants and injury prevention. "Our employees work hard to provide great service to our customers. We want them to enjoy good health so they can reap the benefits of their hard work by spending quality time with families and friends, and we know that helping employees achieve their wellness goals contributes to a safer work environment," said Barb Schaefer, Union Pacific senior vice president of human resources.