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Westminster Savings Credit Union Receives
APA Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award
(Vancouver, British Columbia, March 18, 2008) — In recognition of its workplace practices promoting employee health and well-being, Westminster Savings Credit Union received the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2008 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 9. One of five employers from across North America to receive the award this year, Westminster Savings Credit Union (WSCU) won in the medium for-profit category. The company is a previous winner of the British Columbia Psychological Association’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, qualifying it to be nominated for the APA award. WSCU was also recognized by APA as a Best Practices Honoree for its employee survey process that involves the entire organization in its commitment to improve.
WSCU excelled in PHWA categories for employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. The company’s extensive use of employee committees, its comprehensive health and safety programs and its creative recognition efforts are several examples of the workplace practices that earned WSCU a 2008 PHWA.
WSCU’s psychologically healthy workplace practices have produced results for both the company and its employees. With 73 percent of employees participating in at least one company program each year and an 82 percent employee satisfaction rating on its 2006 survey, WSCU has become an employer of choice. High employee satisfaction and a low employee turnover rate means that almost 80 percent of WSCU’s openings are filled internally, lowering administrative costs, ensuring seamless service and filling positions in less than half the time typically required for external replacements. Additionally, 34 promotions within the past two and a half years have been a direct result of WSCU’s formal employee development programs.
"Paying attention to mental health issues in the workplace not only makes good business sense — it is the right thing to do" says Dr. Joti Samra, Vice President of the BC Psychological Association. "We are thrilled that Westminster Savings Credit Union — our provincial June 2007 award winner —won the international American Psychological Association award in the medium-for-profit category, and was also dually recognized for best practices with regards to an employee opinion survey that engages the entire organization in its commitment to improve the workplace. Our BC winner was one of only five companies across all states, provinces and territories that have won both the APA Award and also received Best Practices Honors since the inception of the APA Awards in 1999! The APA award is a testament to WSCU’s dedication to furthering the psychological health of their employees, and we commend them for the leadership they have demonstrated in this area!"
Winners of the APA Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards report an average turnover rate of just 11 percent–significantly less than the national average of 40 percent as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Surveys completed by the winning organizations show that only 21 percent of employees reported experiencing chronic work stress compared to 34 percent nationally, and more than 80 percent of employees reported being satisfied with their job, compared to only 66 percent nationally.
“Creating a psychologically healthy workplace means more than just remediating problems,” says David Ballard, PsyD, MBA, APA assistant executive director for corporate relations and business strategy. “It’s about promoting good health, enhancing performance and creating a work environment where both employees and the organization can thrive.”
The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award program has both state/provincial/territorial- and national-level components. APA’s PHWA is designed to showcase the very best from among the award winners recognized by APA’s affiliated state, provincial and territorial psychological associations. Nominees are selected from a pool of previous state-level winners and evaluated on their workplace programs and policies in the areas of employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. Awards are given to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations as well as government, military and educational institutions.
More information about APA PHWA winners is available at http://apahelpcenter.mediaroom.com. Organizations interested in learning more about creating a psychologically healthy workplace or applying for an award in their state, province or territory, can visit www.phwa.org.
For more information about the British Columbia Psychological Association visit (www.psychologists.bc.ca)
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With over 600 members across British Columbia we represent a major, valuable resource. Since 1977, the BCPA has represented psychologists in British Columbia. It is a voluntary body and is committed to advancing the psychological well-being of all British Columbians and advocate for the interests of psychologists. Together we can make a difference.
The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.
For Further Information please contact:
Rebecca Smith
Director of Administration
#204-1909 West Broadway,
Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z3
Ph: 604-730-0501
Fx: 604-730-0502
Email: rs.bcpa@telus.net
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