Announcing the 2021 Teddy Award Winners

Another year brings us another set of exceptional workers' compensation programs to honor and emulate.
By: | August 2, 2021

The Teddy Award, established in 1994 by Risk & Insurance®, was named in honor of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who introduced the first piece of significant workers’ compensation legislation in the U.S.

Since its inception, the Teddy Award has been given to dozens of workers’ compensation programs that exemplify what the industry is all about.

These companies do everything possible to protect their most valuable asset: their people. They strive daily to reduce workplace risk. When injuries do occur, Teddy Award-winning companies waste no time securing expert care for their workers, utilizing the systems and practices at play to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Four companies were chosen in this year’s contest, which is sponsored by PMA Companies, with two additional programs earning honorable mentions. See their profiles below and take some time to see what’s made them stand out among their peers.

The 2021 Teddy Award Winners

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System

There’s no one secret to sustainability. At St. Peter’s Healthcare System, collaboration is a part of it. St. Peter’s Employee Health team coordinates interdepartmental assignments to support faster return to work and optimal recovery. That same spirit allowed the organization to adapt during the pandemic, reassigning furloughed employees to help fulfill new temporary roles created by the pandemic, for the benefit of the safety and health of all.

JetBlue Airways Corporation

For JetBlue Airways, part of the secret is an uncompromising commitment to company culture. The company has established a university program to teach its culture, complete with a hotel to house its students. In the throes of a crisis, leaning on the company’s culture and values as a compass enabled it to make the right decisions to keep its crewmembers protected.

City of Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia’s program covers 44 departments that run the gamut of government functions—from health, streets and finance to prison, aviation and parks and recreation. For Philadelphia, communication has been a key piece of the puzzle, adding pandemic coordinator services to further educate employees and manage COVID-19 responses.

General Mills

General Mills’ program has undergone significant transformation in recent years, including a shift in company mindset. By moving to a culture focused on the employee experience, General Mills laid the foundation for a program that can adapt and leverage opportunities for improvement that go far beyond mitigating OSHA recordables.

The 2021 Teddy Award Programs of Distinction

Risk & Insurance honors two additional employers for their exceptional efforts in driving continuous improvement and caring for injured workers. Read more about Lumen Technologies Inc. and Phifer Incorporated in the coming months.

The R&I Editorial Team can be reached at [email protected].

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