From the Baltimore Business Journal

Laurel, MD — Tower Federal Credit Union, the largest federal credit union in Maryland, was recently recognized as one of the healthiest workplaces in the Baltimore area by the Baltimore Business Journal (BBJ). Tower won third place in the newspaper’s Healthiest Employers^® award program in the businesses with 200-499 employees category. The award lauded Tower’s “Wealth of Wellness” employee wellness program.

Through the Wealth of Wellness program, Tower employees can accumulate Healthy Reward Points for participating in a wide variety of healthy activities, including regular doctor’s check-ups, health screenings, health fairs, exercise, weight loss and healthy eating. Employees who accumulate a certain number of points receive a contribution from Tower to their Flexible Spending Account.

Tower offers on-site employee health fairs, flu shots, exercise classes, health screenings, Weight Watchers meetings, and “Lunch & Learn” events, where employees can listen to speakers on health-related topics while eating a brown bag lunch.  Tower added an employee exercise room at its Laurel, Md., headquarters in 2010, equipped with an elliptical machine, treadmill, two stationary bikes, large flat-screen TV, yoga mats, fitness balls and free weights. To encourage healthy eating, Tower’s vending machines offer healthy snack alternatives like granola bars, trail mix, pretzels, baked chips, fruit juices and green tea.

“We strive to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for all of our employees,” says Tower’s President & CEO Martin Breland. “Wellness is a way of life at Tower.”

The BBJ’s Healthiest Employers award program recognizes small and large businesses in the Baltimore area that go above and beyond to promote the health and wellness of their employees. The awards were presented at a luncheon held June 16 at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville. Over 200 people attended the event. Molly Shattuck, founder of Vibrant Living, delivered the key note speech.

Tower’s Wellness program has also won awards from the Howard County Health Department, including an “Innovation in Wellness” award. Tower is recognized as a “Fit-Friendly” company by the American Heart Association.