September 27, 2024
Healthiest Employers® was started in 2009 to celebrate companies that prioritize their people by investing in their employees' health. In partnership with Springbuk, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Healthiest Employers of Connecticut.
Each company filled out our annual Healthiest Employers application. The responses are scored Rubric style 1-100 scale. The assessment comprises six categories with yes/no, multiple choice, and short answer questions, with each totaling .25-3 points. A Healthiest Employers Index (HEI) is assigned to each application to help rank among companies of similar sizes. For information on how the applications are scored, please visit our methodology page here.
For the last few years, a heavily debated topic has been on returning to the office vs. remote work vs. hybrid work. Our Connecticut applicants reported that:
- 8.3% work completely in the office or on-site
- 66.7% report that they are on a hybrid schedule with certain days/times in the office
- 25.0% only provide specific roles or teams with work-from-home opportunities
- 0% are considered a fully remote workforce
Other notable health and wellness trends include:
- 100% of St. Louis applicants emphasize the importance of giving back to the community by providing corporate volunteer opportunities.
- 75.0% of companies provide employees with access to financial advisors and planners for the financial health of their employees. Last year, only 44% of Americans reported being able to cover an unplanned $1,000 emergency and 58% of Americans believe that money is controlling their lives. Employees with this mindset will not be able to bring their best selves to work.
- 50% of Connecticut companies report that their wellness programs have been in place for over 15 years, highlighting their continued commitment to employee health and well-being.
- 16.7% of companies report having an average tenure of greater than 10 years. The average employee tenure is 4.1 years according to an article posted in Forbes last year.
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
100 to 999 Employees
1st Tighe & Bond, Inc.
Westfield, Massachusetts (Local Office: Middletown)
561 Employees
Tighe & Bond is a privately owned engineering and environmental consulting firm founded in 1911 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts. The company has over 600 employees spread across 17 offices in the Northeast, with more than 575 professionals, including designers, planners, scientists, and engineers. Tighe & Bond provides creative solutions for land use, infrastructure, and building design, addressing key challenges in water resources, transportation, and the built and natural environment throughout the region.
Tighe & Bond offers a unique Student Loan Repayment program through Gradifi, a benefit rarely seen in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The company partners with Gradifi to help employees reduce their student loan debt by making direct monthly contributions for up to 60 months. New hires are eligible for the program after the standard waiting period, with a maximum contribution of up to $7,000 per participant. Since its launch in 2019, the program has supported 269 employees, contributing over $770,000. Of those participants, 46 have fully paid off their loans, and 33 have reached the maximum benefit.
Tighe & Bond’s wellness program has evolved to address multiple pillars of health, offering a holistic approach to employee well-being. The company encourages employees to prioritize various aspects of their wellness by providing up to $1,000 in annual incentives, including reimbursements for fitness, mind and body activities, and weight loss, as well as access to Virgin Pulse's wellness rewards platform. The program is promoted through monthly emails, intranet posts, and office announcements.
The company has organized activities such as step challenges, yoga sessions, and webinars on heart health and nutrition to address physical well-being. Mental health support includes self-care challenges, meditation workshops, and stress management webinars. Financial wellness is supported through 401k and ESOP overviews, budgeting webinars, and income protection insurance as part of the total rewards package. Social well-being is fostered by establishing Employee Resource Groups, hosting contests, and encouraging social gatherings. Tighe & Bond supports community involvement through award-winning community service programs, Earth Day cleanup events, and charity fundraisers.
“Tighe & Bond’s well-being program is an aspect of our culture of which I’m particularly proud. The program, which has been in place since 2017, has evolved into a holistic program that focuses on multiple aspects of well-being, including emotional, financial, physical, and social. I love how there is something for everyone. Employees at all levels participate in various wellness activities and it’s been a terrific way to engage staff, encourage collaboration and healthy competition!” –Margo Armstrong, Senior Vice President and CHRO
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2nd Graham Capital Management, L.P.
Norwak
235 Employees
Graham Capital Management, L.P. is an alternative investment firm specializing in innovative quantitative and discretionary solutions. Founded in 1994 by Kenneth G. Tropin, the firm manages approximately $18 billion in assets as of January 1, 2024, serving global pensions, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, investment management advisors, and qualified individual investors.
Over the past 12 months, Graham Capital Management’s Zen Den has become a popular wellness service. Established after the height of COVID, the Zen Den offers meditation, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and relaxation breaks. It is equipped with a zero-gravity chair, red light therapy, Normatec recovery equipment, foam rollers, aromatherapy, and access to the Three Sages Wellness on-demand app. The company also provides employees with physical wellness opportunities through an onsite fitness center, open 24/7, offering fitness classes, personal training, and fitness assessments. Employees can also access the Wellable app for on-demand fitness classes and health content, as well as participate in recreational sports such as softball and basketball. For mental wellness, Graham employs an onsite psychologist and offers 24/7 access to the AbleTo app, providing virtual therapy, coaching, and self-care resources. The Zen Den also supports mindfulness and relaxation activities. In terms of financial wellness, Graham partnered with Vanguard to offer a 2024 Retirement Educational Series, with monthly sessions on retirement planning. Financial advisors are also available to employees. To foster social engagement, the company organizes monthly happy hours, summer barbecues, employee outings, and offers various networks for employees to join. Community involvement is encouraged through volunteer opportunities at local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Open Door Shelter, as well as donations to Toys for Tots, Pick Up Please, and One Warm Coat.
“To reflect our commitment to the wellness of our team, we have implemented various initiatives and programs including having a full-time director of Health and Wellness as part of our team, maintaining a complimentary state-of-the-art on-site fitness facility which incorporates frequent small group fitness classes, and personal training, hosting annual health fairs and flu shot clinics, and providing healthy meal and snack options throughout the day.” –Brian Douglas
1,000 to 4,999 Employees
1st AAA Northeast
Providence
3,306 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
For over a century, AAA Northeast has been a trusted and widely recommended brand. As one of the largest and most innovative membership organizations in North America, it operates as a nonprofit auto club with locations across six states. AAA Northeast provides millions of members with reliable roadside assistance and a range of specialized services, including loans and banking, insurance, travel, discounts, and driver training. The organization has long been an advocate for safe travel, supporting highway safety, road maintenance, and related legislation. AAA Northeast values a diverse workplace culture, investing in the talents, skills, and expertise of its employees, and offering award-winning learning and development resources to help them grow professionally. While continuing to expand and redefine its products and services, AAA Northeast remains focused on creating exceptional experiences for both members and employees.
The AAA Northeast wellness program is designed to be diverse, flexible, and tailored to individual employees' personal goals. It offers various rebates, including $125 annually for mental health support, $250 for fitness and weight management, $250 for child seats, $125 for safety glasses, $100 for shoes, $125 for smoking cessation, and a fully paid mental health subscription. In 2023, the organization paid $295,000 in wellness rebates, a 47% increase from the previous year.
The club’s online Virtual Health Fair in 2023 was a record-breaking success, attracting 3,520 visitors, 1,000 more than the prior year. It also saw 289 employees attending live sessions and receiving 333 feedback entries, contributing to 93% of benefit-eligible employees completing their Open Enrollment elections. In-person events, like Fleet Wellness Days, were also held for over 300 Fleet employees, offering services such as flu shots, massages, financial and ergonomic counseling, and healthy snacks.
Additionally, employees now receive a free Premier AAA Membership sooner, offering peace of mind and safety for themselves and their families. The bereavement benefit was expanded to include pregnancy loss and personal situations, while the adoption benefit now accommodates blended families beyond just newly adopted children. Wellness rebates, including those for car seats, fitness, and bereavement, were enhanced for greater equity, ease of use, and flexibility over the past year.
“At AAA Northeast we take immense pride in prioritizing the well-being of our employees and their families through every decision and benefit offered. The club ensures that its benefits program is not only comprehensive and affordable but also sustainable and tailored to support employees through various life and career stages. The ultimate aim is to provide a sense of security, promote overall wellness, and provide peace of mind. Recognizing the importance of health and safety, the club invests in a total rewards program that encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and financial wellness, catering to the current and future needs of our employees and their families.” –Kristen Botelho Pires, Vice President of Total Rewards
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2nd Gilbane
Providence, Rhode Island (Local Office: Glastonbury)
3,100 Employees
Founded in 1870 and headquartered in Providence, RI, Gilbane Inc. is one of the largest privately held, family-owned companies in the construction, real estate development, and facility management services industry.
Gilbane Inc. recognizes that overall well-being encompasses more than just physical health, emphasizing the importance of mental, emotional, financial, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual health. Through the Wellness Champion network, employees are encouraged to establish relationships with primary care physicians, schedule annual wellness visits, and utilize resources on the Benefits Portal for preventive care. By the end of 2023, 66% of employees earned a discount on their medical premiums for 2024 through the completion of various wellness-related activities.
In 2023, Gilbane introduced wellness activities such as Daily Habits, Health Coaching, and updated company-wide challenges to engage employees year-round. Employees who participated in Health Coaching reported positive experiences. These initiatives, along with an expanded range of resources including Musculoskeletal Solutions, Family Formation Benefits, Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Management Programs, Financial Wellness Resources, and Health Coaching Webinars, highlight Gilbane's commitment to promoting healthy choices and outcomes for employees and their families.
“In line with our people first strategy and our culture of caring, we continue to look at opportunities to enhance our benefit offerings for our employees and their families.” –Katherine Johnson, Chief Human Resources Officer
3rd Point32Health
Canton, Massachusetts (Local Office: Rocky Hill)
4,470 Employees
In 2021, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan merged to form Point32Health, a not-for-profit health and well-being company. Point32Health offers a wide range of health plans and innovative tools aimed at making healthcare navigation easier, guiding members through every step of their healthcare journey to achieve better outcomes. The name Point32Health is inspired by the 32 points on a compass, symbolizing the organization's role in guiding and empowering individuals toward healthier lives. Committed to providing high-quality, affordable care, the company also focuses on improving the health and wellness of its members and creating healthier communities nationwide.
Point32Health prioritizes emotional health as part of a holistic well-being approach that encompasses physical, financial, and social health, along with purpose and emotional empowerment. Recognizing the stress, fatigue, and burnout caused by recent challenges, the company aims to equip colleagues with tools to build resilience at work and at home. As part of this effort, Point32Health introduced meQ (meQuilibrium), a no-cost digital tool designed to help employees build resilience. Launched on World Mental Health Day, meQ supports colleagues not only in handling workplace demands but also in thriving and reaching their full potential. The data-driven platform helps employees stay open-minded, progress toward goals with less resistance, and strengthen their connections to work.
Using participant data, Point32Health created a Resilience Profile that benchmarks stress sources, anxiety, burnout, and productivity impairment. This data enables the company to address burnout risks and implement targeted strategies. Early feedback highlighted the program’s value in reducing stress and building personal resilience, with many participants finding it beneficial both professionally and personally.
To further support employees in managing high demands, the company launched the “Staying Focused When Demands Are High” campaign, which received positive feedback from 100% of survey respondents, with 96% reporting an increase in knowledge and skills.
“To achieve these goals, we provide a wide range of benefits today to support our culture of being inclusive. We offer programs to support our LGTBQ+ colleagues and family members, those who are caregivers, and members looking to start or expand their families. At Point32Health, we understand the value of providing our colleagues with the benefits and tools to build resiliency and we truly believe it is a differentiator for ourselves, our teams, and our organization." –Peter Church, Chief People Officer
4th Ocean State Job Lot
North Kingstown, Rhode Island (Local Office: Bristol)
2,629 Employees
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a privately held and growing discount retail chain with 152 stores across New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company employs approximately 5,600 people and generates over $800 million in annual sales. OSJL offers shoppers a constantly changing selection of brand-name merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal items, and kitchen staples at significantly reduced prices. OSJL has been recognized multiple times, including as a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes and a four-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte. The company also received a first-place Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award. Through the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, the company has a strong philanthropic presence, supporting causes such as hunger relief, homelessness, veterans and military families, animal rescue, and children's welfare.
Ocean State Job Lot prioritizes the well-being of its workforce through a holistic “Whole Person” wellness program that focuses on five key health pillars: Physical, Mental, Financial, Social, and Community. This comprehensive approach reflects the company's commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering work environment, allowing associates to reach their full potential. Each month, Ocean State Job Lot highlights two of the health pillars through various initiatives, providing educational resources such as flyers, infographics, webinars, and targeted benefit opportunities. These resources help associates make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.
To promote physical activity, the company offers programs like the OSJL Walking Club and the Stretch & Flex program tailored for Distribution Center associates, enhancing mobility and flexibility while fostering a healthier workforce. Additionally, Ocean State Job Lot continues to expand its offerings with on-site fitness classes, yoga sessions, and wellness fairs. Emotional well-being is also a priority, with resources including access to licensed professionals at no cost through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and partnerships with providers like Care.com and Accolade. These programs address emotional, social, financial, and physical health concerns.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation further engages associates by connecting them with nonprofit organizations, empowering them to contribute to positive change within their communities.
“At OSJL, we have always put the health of our associates first. Some might believe being generous with healthcare rates puts your business in a challenging position. It’s interesting to note that OSJL’s healthcare premiums came in at $1.6 million below the industry average last year. While others were raising healthcare premiums from 7-10 percent, we chose to have an unprecedented 0% increase for our associates while maintaining benefit levels and even adding new programs.” –Marc Perlman, Principal Owner and CEO
5th HARMAN International
Richardson, Texas (Local Office: Stamford)
2,200 Employees
HARMAN aims to support employees in living healthier lives by gathering annual feedback to select impactful solutions for them and their families. The company offers a range of benefits tailored to different life stages, with two standout offerings being Sleepio and Progyny.
The Sleepio program provides digital cognitive behavioral therapy and coaching techniques to assist members struggling with poor sleep quality or insomnia. In 2023, participants in the Sleepio program reported an impressive 85% improvement in their sleep scores. Additionally, HARMAN offers Progyny as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) family-building benefit that covers fertility services, fertility preservation, donor tissue purchase, and adoption administration reimbursement. In 2023, Progyny supported 15 individuals on their family-building journeys, facilitating 31 fertility-related treatments and one adoption.
Over the past year, HARMAN's Global Well-being team has expanded to include representatives from 28 countries, developing a Global Well-being strategy that aligns with the organization's values and aims to inspire employees to be their best selves. The goal is to integrate employee well-being into the company culture. The strategy comprises three main components: a mission and vision statement, key drivers, and guiding principles. Recognizing that overall well-being is influenced by various factors, HARMAN identified six key drivers—emotional, physical, financial, social, environmental, and intellectual well-being—that impact employees' physical and mental health.
Each quarter, the company emphasizes one of these key drivers to promote health and well-being across the organization. Global well-being teams create various activities to encourage employees to prioritize self-care. This year, the focus on intellectual well-being in the first quarter involved providing resources for skill development in both personal and professional contexts. In the second quarter, the emphasis shifted to physical well-being with the launch of a global step challenge in partnership with Charity Miles, promoting physical activity while benefiting the communities in which employees live and work.
5,000+ Employees
1st Eversource Energy
Westwood, Massachusetts (Local Office: Berlin)
10,069 Employees
Eversource Energy is New England’s largest energy delivery company. It is a publicly traded, Fortune 400 company, with several regulated subsidiaries offering retail electricity, natural gas service, and water service to approximately 4.4 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Eversource Wellness strives to equip all employees and their families with the education and resources needed to live happier and healthier lives. As with most utilities, Eversource has a very diverse population. In 2021 we partnered with Virgin Pulse and launched a comprehensive mental health program in alignment with our strategy to make our wellness program and resources easily accessible, inclusive and personalized for our entire employee community.
Eversource adopts a holistic approach to well-being through its program offerings and cultural resources. The Virgin Pulse platform serves as the primary gateway for employees to access educational content and resources covering all aspects of well-being. Eversource encourages employee engagement through incentives related to preventive health services, daily physical activity, healthy habits, mindfulness activities, social connectedness—including volunteer incentives—and financial wellness journeys.
Employees can participate in peer-to-peer and company-wide challenges that foster camaraderie and community. Throughout the year, they have access to nutrition and mindfulness webinars, as well as various on-site and virtual wellness fairs. Targeted physical well-being programs include diabetes management through Livongo, lifestyle coaching through BCBSMA, and support for those on prescription weight-loss medications via Omada.
For mental well-being, Eversource offers an employee assistance program (KGA) and a self-guided digital cognitive behavioral therapy program (Learn to Live). To alleviate stress, the company provides caregiver support through Care.com, along with voluntary benefits like legal assistance through MetLife Legal and home and auto insurance via the Benefits Hub. Financially, Eversource offers educational workshops and one-on-one consultations through Fidelity and MetLife, tuition reimbursement, and a student refinancing program through SoFi at Work. Culturally, Wellness Champions lead social well-being initiatives and community-building efforts across all Eversource locations, acting as ambassadors for the company’s well-being programs.
“At Eversource, we build wellness programs based on employee feedback that prioritizes the holistic health of individuals, resulting in greater productivity, creativity, and loyalty among our team members. We believe that promoting healthy lifestyles for our employees helps to create a healthier, more productive workforce. I am proud of our wellness offerings and the positive impact in helping employees achieve their full potential, both at work and in their personal lives.” –Susan Sgroi, Executive Vice President of Human Resources
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2nd U-Haul International
Phoenix, Arizona (Multiple Local Offices)
16,371 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the #1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. In addition, they have a fleet of over 186,000 trucks, 128,000 trailers, 46,000 towing devices, 876,000 rentable storage units, and 75.1 million square feet of self-storage space.
U-Haul is very proud of their Virta offering, a clinically proven treatment to reverse Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and pre-diabetes. Through this treatment plan, U-Haul Team Members have been able to lower their A1c, lose weight, and reduce or eliminate the usage of insulin. Their mission is to sustainably reverse the conditions without the risks, costs, or side effects of medications or surgeries. 38% of diabetes-specific medications have been eliminated, insulin dosages have been reduced by 63%, and 16,000 total pounds have been lost through the use of this program.
U-Haul also strives to make healthy lifestyles attainable and affordable, which is why in 2021, they invested in a 54,000-square-foot corporate fitness center and on-site cafeteria where employees can order healthy meals for less than $5. While U-Haul is a vast corporation, its values are deep-rooted in family culture. From team-building challenges to the sharing of healthy recipes and tips, there is an unmistakable investment in everyone’s wellness journey.
“The wellness and benefits programs have helped me tremendously with my weight loss journey! As a work-from-home senior agent, the ‘Get Fit Program’ is one of my favorites because it has motivated me to go to the gym more, focus on my fitness goals, and be more active, especially since I am sitting for the majority of my work shift. The reimbursement incentive they offer not only helps alleviate the costs of my gym membership, but the check-ins incentive has me excited and ready to workout every day! I feel healthier, happier, and stronger!” –Leah Short, Senior Agent
3rd Burns & McDonnell
Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: Wallingford)
9,946 Employees
Burns & McDonnell, founded in 1898, is a full-service, 100% employee-owned company with over 14,500 professionals including consultants, engineers, architects, and construction experts. Operating from more than 75 offices worldwide, the team specializes in designing and building critical infrastructure with an integrated, solutions-driven approach.
Burns & McDonnell's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a standout feature, making them part of a small percentage of firms nationwide that have been 100% employee-owned for over 35 years. Employee ownership is automatic and free, leading to employees having three times higher retirement savings than non-ESOP participants. This ownership model drives their success and fosters a unique culture. The company takes a holistic approach to wellness, offering on-site benefits such as a health center, pharmacy, fitness facility, and counseling services. Additionally, they provide various virtual mental health resources, including counseling and texting therapy, ensuring easy access to quality care for all employee-owners.
Giving back is a core part of their culture, encapsulated in the guiding principle "We Invest for a Better World." In 2023, employees volunteered over 15,000 hours, raised nearly $400,000 for the annual Charity of Choice, and contributed over $5 million to United Way chapters nationwide. This reflects their commitment to community investment and improving the collective future.
“Through our comprehensive wellness program, we empower our employee-owners to take ownership of their health and well-being by providing them with the tools and resources they need to live healthy lives. I am proud of the high participation in our program, and as a result, we have seen a significant reduction in healthcare costs and risk factors for our employee-owners.” –Leslie Duke, Chief Executive Officer
