SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care and wellness programs, has been named one of San Diego's 10 best workplaces by San Diego Magazine. ASH was recognized for its high level of employee satisfaction, commitment to employee recognition, and open communication between upper management and staff.
ASH encourages employee training and advancement by offering diversity workshops, onsite computer training, tuition reimbursement, and mentoring opportunities. In addition, ASH rewards employees with monthly President's Awards for quality, customer service, teamwork, and innovation, and with annual corporate awards in more than 30 categories. ASH's San Diego headquarters has an onsite workout facility, and the company sponsors twice-weekly walking and running clubs.
"Our employees are truly the backbone of the company," said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. "We strive to be an employer of choice and to provide an environment where our employees can grow; be rewarded for their contributions; and feel motivated to lead healthy, balanced lives."
ASH was also recognized for "walking the talk" of a modern, progressive health care and wellness company. In addition to traditional medical, dental, and vision benefits, ASH employees receive the wide range of complementary and alternative health care benefits that the company makes available to its 12 million-plus members nationwide. This includes such popular treatments as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and other offerings. Employees may also enroll in the Healthyroads Coaching Programs for Weight Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Healthy Living, and may even earn rewards for exercising by participating in ASH's Exercise Rewards Program.
More than 300 local companies participated in the San Diego Magazine "San Diego's Best Workplaces" survey. ASH, which was included in the survey's large company category, has more than 500 employees at its downtown San Diego headquarters and regional offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and 15 other cities.
According to San Diego Magazine, the "Best Workplaces" designation provides a reliable business model for managers and leaders looking to make their organizations better places to work, and offers job seekers unprecedented insight into local employment opportunities.
Survey Methodology
San Diego Magazine's first annual "Best Workplaces" survey was conducted by the Employers Group. Nominations were submitted in early 2006, and a panel of independent judges assessed each company in the following nine survey areas: work-life balance, employee voice/workplace culture, community involvement, employee turnover, pay, benefits, perks/incentives, training/opportunity for advancement, and diversity. Based on the results of this 402-question survey, the top-scoring companies were then invited to participate in a confidential employee satisfaction survey. The results of the initial nine-category questionnaire and employee satisfaction survey were weighted equally and added together to determine individual company rankings.
About American Specialty Health
Founded in 1987, ASH and its subsidiaries comprise the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care benefit, affinity discount, health education, and wellness programs. In 2006, ASH debuted its eXtremeFun(tm) childhood obesity management program; eXtremeQuit(tm), its teen tobacco cessation program; and Silver&Fit(tm), a fitness and healthy aging program for seniors. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.
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