Orion Associates Receives a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award”  
April 2008

Orion Associates was one of five Minnesota organizations to receive a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award,” presented by the Minnesota Psychological Association.

Orion Associates now offers to assist other businesses interested in receiving this award.  If you would like to discuss this offer, we invite you to contact Dr. Rebecca Thomley, President and Chief Executive Officer, at 763-450-5045, or Stephen Hage, Chief Administrative Officer, at 763-450-5004.

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award was created to recognize organizations that understand the link between employee health and well-being and organizational performance, and have implemented a variety of workplace practices in an active effort to create a positive work environment. 

Each applicant was judged on criteria including: employee involvement; health and safety; employee growth and development; work-life balance; and employee recognition.

In their press release, the Minnesota Psychological Association stated that “Orion Associates was awarded for employee involvement with its “River of Hope” project.  With this project, employees are paid their salaries while they do volunteer work in New Orleans, in which employees contribute through fund raising, loading a semi tractor trailer with relief supplies, and making ten trips to the disaster area to contribute labor.  Not only did the employees serve this community, but this activity built a stronger work team at Orion.  This effort led to the creation of a volunteer non-profit company called “Headwaters,” with a mission to provide volunteers in the community whenever and wherever necessary. Orion Associates provides management services, such as finance, human resources, and training to many organizations, but particularly to human services companies serving people with disabilities.  The company was founded on the core principle of service to others, both to their clients and to their community.”  (Click here to view the press release in PDF format - 112kb)

The awards ceremony took place on April 25, 2008, during the Minnesota Psychological Association Convention in Bloomington, Minnesota.  The photograph shows Stephen Hage, Chief Administrative Officer, and Cheryl Vennerstrom, Chief Operating Officer, receiving the award from Jack O’Regan, PhD, LP, Chair of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award Committee.

The event and recognition was also noted mentioned in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul Business Journal, at: http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/04/28/daily7.html