2024 Healthiest Employers of New York City

September 4, 2024

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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 New York City.

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. 

New York City is home to over 8 million Americans, making it the largest city in the country. This emphasizes the importance that so many employers play on employee well-being and the health of their families. 

For the last few years, a heavily debated topic has been on returning to the office vs. remote work vs. hybrid work. Our New York City applicants reported that:

• 11.1% work completely in the office or on-site
• 55.6% report that they are on a hybrid schedule with certain days/times in the office
• 29.6% only provide specific roles or teams with work-from-home opportunities
• 3.7% are considered a fully remote workforce

Other notable health and wellness trends include: 

• 96.3% of New York City applicants emphasize the importance of giving back to the community by providing corporate volunteer opportunities. 
• 88.9% 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.
• 22.2% of New York City companies report that their wellness programs have been in place for over 15 years, highlighting their continued commitment to employee health and well-being. 
• 11.1% 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.

Write-ups were conducted on the top 3 in each size category. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

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100 to 999 Employees

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1st WRNS Studio

San Francisco, California (Local Office: New York)
139 Employees

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Founded in 2005, WRNS Studio is an architecture firm driven by the core ideals of beauty, sustainability, and a positive contribution to the public realm. The firm emphasizes human-scale modernism, integrating functionality, quality of light, and honest materials to create spaces that evoke pleasure and emotion. Committed to sustainable design, WRNS Studio promotes the health of people and the planet by helping clients achieve sustainability goals without additional costs. Their work with public agencies, schools, universities, non-profits, and developers enhances the public realm, viewing the place as a blend of built reality, cultural endeavor, layered history, and future potential. WRNS Studio's strong culture focuses on craft, technology, and education.

WRNS Studio offers a unique Self-Measuring Blood Pressure Program, allowing employees to monitor their blood pressure using an in-office machine regularly. This program has positively impacted employee health by raising awareness of hypertension and high blood pressure, leading many to make lifestyle changes and improve their overall heart health. WRNS Studio implements a comprehensive wellness program that addresses various health pillars, including physical, mental, financial, social, and community well-being. The program includes initiatives such as the Self-Measuring Blood Pressure Program, an annual Fitness Challenge, stress management webinars, and resources like discounted gym memberships and fresh produce delivery. The studio promotes social responsibility by prioritizing local and minority-owned vendors has participated in the International Living Future Institute's Just Program, and has been a Just Label firm since 2017. The Just Label is a  “nutrition label” for socially just and equitable organizations to disclose—and in doing so, deliver upon—their commitments to diversity, equity, safety, worker and local benefit.".

WRNS Studio offers flexible work arrangements to accommodate employees' personal needs, such as temporary remote work or adjusted hours for caregiving or personal obligations. Additionally, the studio has a longstanding Alternative Fridays Off (AFO) program, allowing staff to work 8.5-hour days in exchange for 14 extra Fridays off annually. These initiatives promote work-life balance and employee well-being, reflecting WRNS Studio's commitment to supporting diverse employee needs while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.

“WRNS has continued to promote healthcare benefits for employees and benefits such as employee counseling and support, discounted gym memberships, a preventative health and wellness program, and even fresh produce delivery resources. Our annual Fitness challenge encourages exercise and wellness of staff and their families, teamwork, and comradery making wellness fun. WRNS Studio is committed to creating opportunities for a healthy work-life balance.” –Rochelle Nagata-Wu, AIA, Senior Associate

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2nd Henderson Engineers

Lenexa, Kansas (Local Office: New York) 
902 Employees

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Henderson Engineers is a fully employee-owned national firm specializing in building systems design. The company offers a diverse range of engineering design services across various markets, including business, community, grocery and distribution, retail, health, and venue sectors. In collaboration with its sister company, Henderson Building Solutions, which focuses on construction management and commissioning, Henderson Engineers delivers comprehensive design-build solutions by integrating engineering expertise with practical construction experience.

Henderson supports four people resource groups focused on people of color, LGBTQIA+ employees, gender equality, and sustainability, as part of its commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace. These groups offer support networks and serve as platforms for exchanging ideas across the company, open to all employees. Participants in these groups actively engage in publishing newsletters, hosting learning sessions, and facilitating discussions in dedicated company chat rooms to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Henderson endorses these efforts by promoting the groups on company platforms and compensating employees for their contributions. Each group is popular, with membership ranging from 100 to 200 employees.

Henderson promotes employee well-being through various initiatives focused on physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellness. For physical health, Henderson provides an on-site gym at headquarters and a reimbursement program of up to $200 annually for employees without gym access. Mental health is supported by an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering 12 free counseling sessions and a behavioral health program included in medical benefits. Financial wellness is addressed through a partnership with UBS wealth management, offering free financial coaching, discounted estate planning, and financial wellness presentations. As a 100% employee-owned firm, Henderson allows all employees to build wealth based on company performance. Social well-being is fostered through regular social gatherings such as happy hours and team outings. For community engagement, employees receive 16 hours of paid community service time annually, with opportunities to volunteer through partnerships with local non-profits. Occupational wellness is emphasized through the Leadership Academy, an annual training program for newly promoted leaders, designed to enhance management and leadership skills.

"Prioritizing our overall well-being is essential to both professional and personal success. I'm proud that our firm actively supports and advocates for employees in their pursuit of physical, mental, financial, and spiritual well-being through various programs. It's inspiring to see how receptive our employees are to these efforts, with many taking ownership of our initiatives. This employee buy-in has been crucial to the ongoing success of our wellness program, which, in turn, has contributed to the success of our company over the past 54 years." –Mindy Garrett, Chief People Officer

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1,000 to 4,999 Employees

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1st BankUnited, N.A.

Miami, Florida (Local Office: New York)
1,600 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner

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BankUnited, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BankUnited, Inc., is one of the largest independent depository institutions headquartered in Florida, providing a broad range of consumer and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations, and institutions. BankUnited operates banking centers throughout Florida and New York. 

BankUnited’s wellness program has gained significant visibility and was featured in local news throughout Miami and Broward Counties. The program continues to see over 90% engagement due to various in-person and virtual participation options. In response to the global pandemic in 2020, the company expanded its offerings to include disease management education, with regular webinars featuring local physicians. New initiatives based on employee requests include a 6-week diabetes management program and a mental health identity program. On-site services now also feature skin cancer screenings, dental services, mammograms, eye examinations, and therapeutic workshops. In 2024, a Cancer Support Group led by employee survivors will launch, alongside adoption clinics and volunteer opportunities in partnership with the Humane Society.

“The BankUnited Employee Wellness Program has served as a critical component of my exercise and wellness program since its inception. The convenience of having a state-of-the-art fitness center just steps away provides greater flexibility in the times I can exercise and eliminates many excuses for going to the gym. I have also found that the group classes offer a variety so badly missing from what was my normal routine. It is a true benefit for employees. Additionally, the wellness programming has addressed several very important issues that impact our employees daily. I am proud to participate and encourage my teams to engage.” –Juana Sanchez, Bank Operations

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2nd AAA Northeast

Providence, Rhode Island
3,306 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner

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AAA Northeast, a nonprofit auto club with a century-long legacy, is one of the largest and most innovative membership organizations in North America. Operating across six states, it offers reliable roadside assistance to millions of members, along with services like loans, banking, insurance, travel, discounts, and driver training. AAA has consistently advocated for safe travel, highway safety, and road maintenance since its inception. The organization values its diverse culture, investing in the talents and growth of its employees through award-winning learning and development resources. As AAA Northeast continues to evolve its products and services, its mission remains focused on creating the best experiences for both members and employees.

AAA Northeast offers a diverse, flexible, and evolving wellness program aimed at supporting individual employee goals. The program includes various rebates such as $125 annually for mental health, $250 for weight/fitness, $250 for child seats, $125 for safety glasses, $100 for shoes, and $125 for smoking cessation. Employees also receive a fully paid mental health subscription. In 2023, the club paid out $295,000 in rebates, marking a 47% increase from the previous year.

The Virtual Health Fair was highly successful, attracting a record-breaking 3,520 visitors, with 289 employees attending live sessions and 333 providing feedback. This engagement led to 93% of benefit-eligible employees completing their Open Enrollment elections. The Safety & Benefits teams also engaged over 300 Fleet employees through on-site Fleet Wellness days, which included flu shots, chair massages, financial and ergonomic counseling, and healthy snacks.

Employees now receive a free Premier AAA Membership benefit sooner, enhancing their experience of the brand's offerings. The bereavement benefit was expanded to include pregnancy loss and broader personal situations, while the adoption benefit was enhanced to support family blending beyond newly adopted children. Recent enhancements to wellness rebates and policies were made for greater equity, ease of use, and flexibility.

“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, Systems, Employee Health and Safety

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3rd Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Washington, D.C. (Local Office: New York)
1,360 Employees

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Akin is an elite law firm with 900+ lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on their dedication to their clients and communities. With 17 offices worldwide, the firm is renowned for numerous market-leading practices; its strengths in complex transactions and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters; and its unyielding pro bono commitment.

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The firm has long prioritized mental health and well-being in the legal industry, predating its involvement as an inaugural signatory to the American Bar Association's Well-Being Pledge in 2018. Their Mental Health Advisor program exemplifies this commitment, offering onsite and virtual counseling sessions paid for by the firm to address personal and professional concerns. Recently expanded with two additional advisors in Texas, the program now provides coverage across offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and Texas, available Mondays through Thursdays nationwide. In 2023, 141 unique participants engaged with the service, with 69% being new users, demonstrating ongoing acceptance and promotion within the firm. They continue to advocate for mental well-being in the legal sector through initiatives like One Mind at Work's legal vertical, with their Chief Human Resources Officer actively promoting progress in this area among peers.

“Incorporating scheduled mini breaks into my day has been instrumental in maintaining an active lifestyle. By blocking off time on my calendar and prioritizing these breaks, I ensure I stay moving and refreshed. Whether it’s a brisk 5-minute walk or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, these small actions contribute significantly to reaching my goals and keeping me energized. Dedicating time to self-care and personal well-being has transformed my approach to an active lifestyle.” –Business Services Professional

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4th Gilbane – Providence, Rhode Island (Local Office: New York) – 3,100 Employees

5th Philadelphia Insurance Companies – Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania (Local Office: Melville) – 1,939 Employees

6th West Monroe – Chicago, Illinois (Local Office: New York)

7th StoneX – Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: New York) – 1,788 Employees

8th Walker & Dunlop – Bethesda, Maryland (Local Office: New York) – 1,391 Employees  

9th AmTrust Financial – New York – 4,420 Employees

10th Venable, LLP – Baltimore, Maryland (Local Office: New York) – 1,698 Employees

11th MongoDB, Inc. – New York – 2,650 Employees

12th White Plains Hospital – White Plains – 3,689 Employees

13th Squarespace – New York – 1,524 Employees

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5,000+ Employees

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1st Northwell Health

Lake Success
66,574 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner

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Northwell Health, guided by esteemed senior leaders, unites over 87,000 employees with a shared mission to elevate healthcare standards for all. The organization is dedicated to improving community health by providing top-quality clinical care, educating current and future healthcare professionals, advancing medicine through biomedical research, promoting health education, and ensuring care for the entire community, regardless of the ability to pay.

The Well-being Credit Program at Northwell Health encourages team members to prioritize their well-being by offering financial incentives through paycheck credits. Employees who complete the program by October 31 receive approximately $100 per paycheck in the following year, with each healthy action earning $25 per biweekly paycheck or $27.08 per semi-monthly paycheck. To qualify, participants must be enrolled in a Northwell medical plan, complete a mandatory Health Check Survey, and take three additional actions focused on physical, financial, or other aspects of well-being.

For those enrolled in the Northwell Direct Value Plan, completing the program results in free medical insurance, regardless of the number of dependents covered. The program is designed to promote health and well-being, which also helps reduce medical insurance costs. The program is well-received, with team members committed to completing it to save money.

Key statistics from the 2023 Well-being Credit Program include:

• 20 well-being action options available (including preventive screenings, care management, financial well-being, and other healthy actions)
• Over 146,000 individual actions were completed, including more than 75,000 preventive visits and screenings
• Employees earned a total of $67 million in incentive credits, representing 66% of the maximum credits available
• A 1% increase in earned credits compared to the previous year
• 58% of eligible members completed all four required actions, receiving the full incentive credits for 2024, while 13.4% received partial credits.

“It is with great pride that Northwell Health has been recognized for the previous three years as one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America. The physical and emotional health of our 87,000 employees is a top priority for us. By promoting the holistic well-being of all of our team members, the employees of Northwell Health can come together as a family, regardless of their role. In doing this, we are not  only caring for our employees but also providing unequaled care to all members of our community.” –Peter Silver, MD, Chief Quality Officer

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2nd CBIZ

Cleveland, Ohio (Local Office: New York)
6,841 Employees

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CBIZ provides professional business services in accounting, tax, and advisory services as well as employee benefits and insurance services. CBIZ has over 100 offices and 6,000 team members located throughout the U.S. and serves organizations of all sizes and individual clientele. 

Through Accolade, CBIZ has seen 83% of team members utilizing the platform to help find in-network providers, answer health-related questions, and explain coverage offerings. By participating in various wellness activities, employees can earn points towards discounts on medical premiums and prize drawings. CBIZ also encourages their workforce to give back to their communities by offering up to 8 hours annually to volunteer during work hours. Because of the many employees and offices throughout the country, CBIZ has also started a “Our Great People Great Place (GP2) program that focuses on fostering a healthy work environment, positive social opportunities with coworkers, and creating a great place to work. This program hosts onsite local office gatherings and workplace awards to bring employees together. Additionally, CBIZ offers various Employee Resource Groups such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Pride to promote their continued DEI efforts. 

“CBIZ continues to experience record growth and as we grow our business, we likewise continue to prioritize and invest in the health and wellbeing of our team members. We strive every day to bring one of our key core values, ‘Our People Matter,’ to life. In addition to our focus on well-being, we’ve made critical strides in strengthening our award-winning culture including the expansion of our Employee Resource Group offerings, which help to build community across our company and create new opportunities for our team members to connect and support each other. For the coming year, we plan to build on this progress and align more incentives to encourage more team members to take full advantage of these valuable resources and opportunities.” –Elizabeth Newman, Chief Human Resources Officer

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3rd U-Haul International

Phoenix, Arizona (Multiple Local Offices)
16,371 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner

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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, their 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

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4th Burns & McDonnell – Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: New York) – 9,946 Employees

5th TIAA – New York – 11,519 Employees

6th Westgate Resorts – Orlando, Florida (Local Office: New York) – 8,000 Employees  

7th NGUSA Service Company – Syracuse, New York (Local Office: Brooklyn) – 28,000 Employees

8th Syneos Health – Morrisville, North Carolina (Local Office: New York) – 9,815 Employees

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