Melaleuca has been selected as a recipient of the American Psychological Association (APA)’s “The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Best Practices Honors,” recognizing companies with innovative programs and policies that support psychologically healthy work environments. A work environment that provides for the well-being and overall health and welfare of the employee; a workplace where employees thrive emotionally and physically; where they can participate in problem solving, and where they feel that their contribution makes a difference. Melaleuca is the first Idaho-based company ever to receive this national award and is one of only 16 companies nationwide to receive the award this year.
Company CEO Frank VanderSloot says, “We are especially proud of this national award because it places Melaleuca with an elite handful of other companies who value their employees as we do. We have the absolute finest group of employees in the nation. They work harder and care more than any other group of people I have ever seen. It’s clear that they care about our success and its pretty neat to receive national recognition about the many ways we have tried to communicate to our employees how much we value them and their contribution.”
“The best practices employed by Melaleuca serve as a model for corporate America, which is beginning to understand that employees are their best asset,” says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., the APA’s executive director for professional practice. “A little investment in psychologically healthy workplaces can pay big dividends in years to come.”
Specifically, the APA commended Melaleuca for its best practice of developing a flexible shift schedule program, giving employees the option of working at times that support their family life. With nearly 70 different shift schedules, the program has produced a workforce at Melaleuca that includes students, parents and grandparents who can work full-time or part-time. The company attributes this best practice as an effective way to recruit, train and retain a knowledgeable, experienced workforce.
Prior to the APA’s selection, Melaleuca was honored by the Idaho Psychological Association as a winner of The Idaho Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award. This award is given to organizations at the state level for business practices that foster a healthy work environment. The judging process evaluates the following four criteria: employee involvement, family support, employee growth and development, and health and safety.
“The scientific and anecdotal evidence prove that happier employees are more productive employees,” says Newman. “In addition to honoring Melaleuca for its achievements, we are showcasing these unique programs to demonstrate to others there are many things that can be done to create psychologically healthy workplaces.”
