National Business Group on Health Recognizes Verizon as a Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles

NEW YORK, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon's commitment to helping employees lead healthier lives has earned the company a spot on the National Business Group on Health's 2010 list of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles.  It is the second consecutive year that Verizon has been named to the list.

Also for the second consecutive year, Verizon earned a spot in Gold Category, the second of the list's three top categories.  Verizon was cited for "creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who are committed to" changing their behavior over the long term and adopting healthier lifestyles.

The company provides 100 percent coverage for preventive care, and also provides numerous free resources that help employees make better choices about health and well-being. Verizon manages 44 Health & Wellness Centers on company sites nationwide, and employees in company locations without a wellness center have access to discounted memberships at more than 2,000 health clubs.  

Verizon employees also have access to a robust assistance program, VZ-LIFE, that provides resources for dealing with personal problems and challenges related to parenting and child care, adult care, health and wellness, moving and relocation, and many other issues.

"Verizon and its management team recognize just how important a healthy workforce is to increasing productivity and controlling health care costs," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health.  "We are delighted to recognize Verizon for its innovation and commitment to providing lifestyle-improvement programs."

In 2009, Verizon spent $3.8 billion to provide health care benefits for more than 830,000 employees, retirees and their dependents. A longtime advocate for the benefits of health care information technology, the company provides an online resource for health information called Verizon HealthZone that helps many employees make informed decisions about their health care.  

"A healthy lifestyle helps employees meet the challenges of their busy personal and professional lives," said Donna Chiffriller, vice president of benefits for Verizon. "To once again have our commitment to the health of our employees recognized by the National Business Group on Health is an honor."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon