LAUREL, Md., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless has received Gold Level certification in the Healthy Howard, Inc.'s Healthy Workplaces program. [ Healthy Workplaces ], part of the [ Healthy Howard Initiative ], recognizes businesses that are committed to improving employee health and well-being. 2011 marks the third consecutive year that Verizon Wireless has earned top-level recognition by the County. In honoring Verizon Wireless, Healthy Howard, Inc. evaluated the company across six main categories: nutrition, physical activity, culture of wellness, mental health, environmental health, and safety.

A major employer in Howard County, Verizon Wireless operates a regional headquarters in Laurel, a Customer Call Center in Hanover, and a retail store in Columbia, with nearly 1,800 employees in Howard County. The company was recognized by the Healthy Workplaces program for its outstanding health benefits, its programs devoted to healthy babies, maternal health and smoking cessation, and on-site, family-friendly amenities such as lactation rooms for nursing mothers. In addition, at both of its Howard County offices, Verizon Wireless operates state-of-the-art fitness centers, which offer personal training, nutrition seminars and a range of exercise classes, including Pilates for Pregnancy, a class exclusively for expectant mothers.

Verizon Wireless Regional President [ Mike Maiorana ] said, "As a leading employer in Howard County, I'm honored to accept this award on behalf of all Verizon Wireless employees. We work hard to create a healthy, environmentally friendly workplace for our employees, and we're proud to do business in a County that makes employee health and wellness a priority."

Verizon Wireless has consistently been singled out for its commitment to workplace wellness. For the last four years since the program began, the company has been named a Health & Wellness Trailblazer by the [ Alliance for Workplace Excellence ]. The award honors businesses that promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness at work, at home, and in the community. In 2011, the company was named a Best Place to Work by Baltimore Magazine, in part for its commitment to employee wellness, including preventative services like onsite mammography screenings.

Nationally, the company has also been recognized frequently for its programs addressing the work/life needs of employees. One of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for ten consecutive years, the company was also named one of Men's Fitness Magazine's 15 Fittest Companies in America.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: [ VZ ]) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit [ www.verizonwireless.com ]. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at [ www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia ].

About the Healthy Workplaces Program

Howard County's Healthy Workplaces Program was developed from a review of evidence-based worksite wellness activities, guidelines from existing efforts by the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society as well as recommendations from the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and the Horizon Foundation. In 2009, the first year of the program, businesses were eligible to become certified at the Bronze or Silver level; Gold Level was added in 2010 and is the top category. Designees represent a wide range of industries and business models, including local, regional, national, and global businesses ranging in size from 2 to 250,000 employees.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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Verizon Wireless Named Among Howard County, Maryland's Healthiest Workplaces for Third Consecutive Year

Verizon Wireless Named Among Howard County, Maryland's Healthiest Workplaces for Third Consecutive Year

Company Earns Highest, Gold Level Recognition From Healthy Howard, Inc.