Nov 16, 2011 10:37 AM

The Erb Group of Companies has been recognized with a Gold Award from the Waterloo Region’s Healthy Workplace Program.

This program recognizes and celebrates workplaces in the Waterloo Region of southern Ontario, Canada, that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving employee health. Companies were evaluated by a points system based on wellness activities and programs at the workplace.

In 2010, Erb received a Silver award, but this year the goal was Gold.

Erb provides several programs to promote a healthy lifestyle for employees. The Highway to Health Wellness program consists of several presentations on health topics such as unhealthy cholesterol, physical activity, and smoking that employees can review online. Employees receive hard-copy information and incentives for presentations they complete.

In June 2011, Erb also launched The Soles in Motion Fitness Challenge, a 12-week contest where employees tracked their steps and physical activity on a web-based program. Pedometers and an activity-convertor allowed employees to record their daily activity and take a “virtual journey” from the Erb Montreal Terminal to the Winnipeg Terminal.

In 2012, Erb is planning a Winter Fitness Challenge and healthy eating initiatives, consisting of an employee cookbook and lunch-and-learns.

The Erb Group of Companies has more than 1,200 employees and 140 owner-operators. It provides more than 800 power units and 1,000 refrigerated trailers.