Toray Plastics (America), Inc. has been named a 2019 Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island winner by the Providence Business News. Toray has been honored in the award category recognizing companies with 2,000 to 4,900 employees. Lisa Ahart, Toray’s VP of US corporate human resources and environmental health and safety, accepted the award at a luncheon held on August 8 at the Providence Marriott.

“Toray is a great place to work for many reasons. Among them is our employee health and wellness program,” says Ahart. “People come first at Toray, and leadership here is committed to their well-being. We are honored to be recognized by PBN for our efforts.”

Award applicants were evaluated in six key areas: culture and leadership, foundation components, strategic planning, communications and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analytics. Completed assessments were ranked according to the proprietary Healthiest Employers Index, which is a 1- to-100 rubric for wellness programming. The Healthiest Employers Award Program was developed and is administered by Springbuk, a health analytics software company.

Toray offers employees comprehensive, affordable health plans. It launched a wellness program in 2000 following the opening of the company’s Education and Wellness Center. The center, which employees are encouraged to utilize during work hours, is professionally managed. The company’s wellness program also offers weight loss challenges, group exercise and yoga classes, flu shot clinics, a hiking club, charity races, and more. There are also basketball and tennis courts on site. Membership is open to Toray employees and family members. Ahart notes that the local branch of the National Guard and the North Kingstown police, fire, and school recreation departments have access to the center at no charge.