The Cigna Well-Being Award recognizes companies that “actively and positively impact the overall health and well-being of their population.” This year, one of the award recipients was Chicago-based school bus company Cook-Illinois Corporation.
A global health service company, Cigna cites the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistic that employers lose over $225 million annually because of employee health problems and explains they created the Well-Being Award “to recognize employer clients that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of their workforce.”
“Evaluation for this award,” explained Cook-Illinois in a statement, “is based on a variety of factors including support from management, branding, workplace environment, policies, implementation of programs, incentives, and overall participation.”
Cigna said of the school bus contractor, “This award is so well-deserved especially with all the hard work they put into their ‘Bus a Move’ program over the past year.”
Over the past five years, Cook-Illinois has built and expanded their commitment to their employees’ health and wellness. The company hired a registered dietician, held annual wellness walks, offered a driver health and fitness program, and otherwise supported employees in achieving their health and wellness goals. The company said results have been seen in the form of “weight loss, improvement in biometric numbers, [and] smoking cessation.”
The company said its commitment to employee well-being is one supported by Chief Operating Officer John Benish, Jr. and is encouraged throughout the company.
“The overall goal was to improve the health and well-being of their employees and to ensure safety for the customers they serve…and they are doing just that!” Cigna said in a statement.
The nation’s largest family-owned and operated school bus contractor, CIC has provided families in the Midwest with school bus services for over 50 years.
