December 03, 2009
The American Heart Association names Motley Rice a Start! Fit-Friendly Company
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Motley Rice LLC, one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ litigation firms, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the American Heart Association Start! Program’s Fit-Friendly Company Gold Award in recognition of its continued commitment to the promotion of health in the workplace.
Motley Rice was named as a Fit-Friendly Company and recipient of the Gold Level Award for the second consecutive year because of its achievements in addressing health and wellness with employees. Within the past year, the firm has designed and executed an internal wellness program that includes:
- An online health and weight management program funded entirely by the firm
- A partnership with East Shore Athletic Club
- Creation of a point/award system for “Walk the Bridge Wednesdays” and “Sneaker Fridays” to encourage stair use and support physical activity
- Enforcement of smoking regulations
- Incorporation of more nutritional vending machine options
- Lunch n’ learn sessions with topics specific to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of employees
Additionally, the firm has its own softball and bowling teams and hosts an annual health fair with over two dozen vendors from local medical, fitness and health organizations.
“It is an honor to receive such recognition from an organization so committed to creating a culture of physical wellness in workplaces throughout this country,” said Director of Human Resources, Mina Agujia. “Our firm encourages employees to maintain healthy lifestyles on a daily basis. Active, healthy employees are happier and more productive employees.”
According to the American Heart Association, obesity costs American businesses billions of dollars per year in medical expenses and health-related productivity losses. Start! is the American Heart Association’s national campaign to stop this trend by asking American workers and employers to increase their physical activity and overall health. Gold-level Fit-Friendly Company recognition is given twice a year to companies that fulfill criteria such as offering employees physical activity support, increasing healthy eating options at work, promoting a wellness culture, and implementing at least six physical activities, two nutrition activities and one culture program outlined by the Start! program.
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives free of heart diseases and stroke. These diseases, America’s No.1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly 870,000 lives each year. The American Heart Association annually invests several hundred million dollars in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit http://www.americanheart.org.
About Motley Rice LLC
Motley Rice attorneys gained recognition for their work on behalf of asbestos victims, the State Attorneys General in their landmark litigation against Big Tobacco, and the 9/11 families in their groundbreaking lawsuit against terrorist financiers. The firm employs over 300, is headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and has additional offices in Connecticut, New York Rhode Island and West Virginia. For more information on the firm’s healthy initiative programs, contact Human Resources Director Mina Agujia or attorney Joe Rice (SC) at +1 843.216.9000.