ASHEBORO – Even more programs have been launched for Randolph County employees with the county receiving high grades for its workplace health initiatives.
The county ranked 17th in the country and, for the fifth year in a row, first in the Triad region of North Carolina in Springbuk’s rankings of the nation’s healthiest employers.
“We are in some pretty heavy company,” said Sam Varner, wellness administrator for Randolph County. “It’s pretty remarkable.”
The ranking comes for any organization that has employees. Springbuk is a health analytics company that assesses health and benefits plans.
Randolph County’s rating was boosted by providing annual wellness exams, access to mental and physical counseling, fitness facilities that include on-site for many employees and a health plan that has resulted in savings for the county.
“Our employees and dependents are who take advantage of this,” Varner said.
Varner said there’s continual commitment to promote health and wellness among the 885 employees.
“The county believes in the importance of health and wellness and is committed to fostering a supportive environment for both employees and the community,” county manager Zeb Holden said. “This award highlights the importance of investing in employee health, which not only benefits the individuals but also enhances the productivity and morale of the entire workforce.”
Varner said the county’s efforts are directed at quality of life and have resulted in cost savings. He said insurance rates decreased for the county during the past year, something unusual.
“When we’re saving money, we’re saving taxpayers money,” Varner said. “Our employees are happy. Our (county) commissioners are happy.”
In the ratings, Randolph County received the best possible scores in three categories – programming and intervention, marketing and communication, and strategic planning.
The county has a medical clinic for employees and six onsite fitness facilities. A pain management clinic has seen high participation as well.
Varner said there are unique programs, including pet therapy and weight management. In September, hormone health services were offered with such tremendous response, he said, that it was put on pause temporarily to allow staff to catch up.
The pet therapy includes three dogs.
“That’s a very popular program,” Varner said. “People have called us to ask how we do it.”
The process to receive the ranking is extensive, Varner said.
“It took us days to fill out the application,” he said.
Atop the list is OneAZ Credit Union in Phoenix, while Wake County in North Carolina was listed second. Randolph County is the only other North Carolina entity in the top 20.
Varner, a former conditioning coach for college athletes at Clemson and Utah along with U.S. Olympians for Winter Games, has been in his role with Randolph County since January 2015.
“We want to keep that going,” Varner said. “We’re always working on some other things.”
