Rochester, NY (June 29, 2009) – Paychex, Inc. a leading provider of payroll and human resource services, has been recognized by the National Business Group on Health as one of the nation’s leading companies for innovative programs promoting a healthy workplace, and for helping its employees and their families to make better choices about their own health and well-being.

 

Paychex was among 63 employers to receive the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Joint Summit of the Institutes on Health Care Costs and Solutions & the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. Paychex received a Gold Award for its Active Health program, a comprehensive wellness initiative that supports and rewards employees for making wellness a priority.

 

“Paychex is very proud to be honored for our commitment to our employees’ health and well-being,” said Will Kuchta, Paychex vice president of organizational development. “We’ve worked very hard over the years to create a culture of wellness, which our employees have enthusiastically embraced with their active participation in healthy living initiatives, screenings, and other wellness activities.”

 

“As one of 63 companies recognized this year for their employee health and wellness programs, Paychex is at the vanguard of a national movement to promote a system-wide culture of health emphasizing prevention, exercise, and eating right,” said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. “More than ever, a healthy workforce is critical to helping America’s large employers compete in the global marketplace. Paychex is to be applauded for making health and wellness an integral part of their workplace.”

 

The Paychex Active Health program fully integrates a broad array of new and existing offerings, including onsite health screenings, online health risk assessments, a tobacco cessation program, comprehensive stress management programs including the availability of a personal assistant, a team-based physical activity and nutrition program, healthy cooking classes, an employee assistance program, family resource kits to help employees caring for young children or seniors, unlimited access to health coaching, routine preventive medical care at no cost to employees and their dependents, and cash rewards for points earned by completing wellness and prevention activities. In its first year of the Active Health program in 2008, 87% of Paychex employees completed the program requirements (health risk assessment, health screening, and being tobacco-free or participating in a tobacco cessation program), and almost all health risk indicators showed measurable improvement.

 

Now in its fifth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards recognize those employers that have truly embraced a culture of wellness and are working collaboratively to improve their workers’ health, productivity, and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.

 

Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum – for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold – for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavioral changes; and Silver – for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.

 

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex^®. Human resource services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, health insurance, workers’ compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, the company has more than 100 offices serving approximately 554,000 payroll clients nationwide as of May 31, 2009. For more information about Paychex and our products, visit www.paychex.com.

 

The National Business Group on Health is the nation’s only non-profit, membership organization of larger employers – including 60 of the FORTUNE 100 – devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health care and related benefits issues. The NBGH identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. NBGH members provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees, and their families. For more information about the NBGH, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org. 

 

# # #

 

Becky Cania

Corporate Communications Manager

585-387-6337

bcania@paychex.com