CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Piedmont
Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) announced today that it has been recognized
as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American
Heart Association (AHA) for the fourth consecutive year. The
Platinum-Level award is the highest level of recognition in the
AHA's Start! program.
Companies recognized at the Platinum-Level achieve the
following:
- Offer employees physical activity options in the workplace
- Increase healthy eating options at the worksite
- Promote a wellness culture in the workplace
- Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the AHA in the
areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace
wellness
"We are honored that the American Heart Association has again
recognized Piedmont's efforts to
promote physical activity and overall employee wellness," said
Thomas E. Skains, Piedmont's chairman, president and CEO. "We
remain committed to providing wellness education and opportunities
for our employees and their families, but it is their dedication
that is responsible for the success of our programs and the many
positive results for Piedmont Natural Gas."
Piedmont's wellness program,
now in its sixth year, is popular among employees. In 2012, 94
percent of Piedmont's employees
participated in the company's Biometric Health Screening and Health
Risk Assessment programs. Employees participating in the health
risk assessments or the biometric screenings also have free access
to a health coach for up to 12 months to assist them with their
health goals.
Piedmont's wellness program
offers employees an on-site wellness coordinator and reimbursement
programs for utilization of fitness centers, weight management and
tobacco cessation. Piedmont
also issues a quarterly wellness newsletter and sponsors frequent
opportunities for employees to engage in a variety of healthy
activities.
About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company primarily
engaged in the distribution of natural gas to more than one million
residential, commercial and industrial utility customers in
North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including 53,000 customers served
by municipalities who are wholesale customers. Our subsidiaries are
invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including
unregulated retail natural gas marketing, interstate natural gas
storage and intrastate natural gas transportation. More information
about Piedmont Natural Gas is available on the Internet at
http://www.piedmontng.com/.
SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas