Entry Deadline:

This program is now closed.

Learn more about current programs here.

Honoring Initiatives and the People Taking Initiative to Create Healthy Workplaces

Prioritizing the whole employee — their mental, physical, social and financial health — is no longer a nice-to-have organizational practice — it’s a business imperative. Ragan’s Workplace Wellness Awards are the benchmark of excellence for high-performing organizations that take employee wellbeing seriously. We invite you to enter and get recognized.

The awards program is open to organizations worldwide, and offer you an opportunity to recognize your HR, wellness and communications initiatives and the hard-working people behind those programs.

Award honorees will be recognized at a special awards gala during Ragan’s annual Workplace Wellness Conference in August in Denver, Colo. Honorees also receive editorial coverage across our websites, social media shoutouts, team recognition assets and digital badges to showcase your honor.

Employee wellbeing continues to grow in importance, and the workforce is taking note. Get the recognition you and your organization deserve by entering Ragan’s Workplace Wellness Awards by Jan. 25, 2023!

CATEGORIES

TOP PLACES TO WORK FOR EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

 Large Organization (more than 1,000 employees)

 Mid-Size Organization (between 100-999 employees)

 Small Organization (less than 100 employees)

OUTSTANDING TOTAL REWARDS PROGRAMS

 Large Organization (more than 1,000 employees)

 Mid-Size Organization (between 100-999 employees)

 Small Organization (less than 100 employees)

WELLNESS INITIATIVES/PROGRAMS

 DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)

Recognizing measurable efforts to create and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

 Digital Culture

This category shines a spotlight on how you’re leveraging technology to develop and maintain a healthy workforce.

 Employee Benefits

Share how your benefits programs are creating a healthier work environment.

 Employee Engagement

This category recognizes leadership in workplace culture.

 Employer Branding

Share how you are promoting your organization as a top place to work that provides opportunities for all.

 ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance)

Share how your HR or Comms department has supported your organization’s ESG goals.

 Financial Wellness

Recognizing the programs, services or resources you offer to employees that help them plan for financial success.

 HR/Communications Collaboration

We want to shine a spotlight on outstanding cross-department collaboration, between HR and Communications.

 Learning & Development

Recognizing innovative programs to educate, upskill and inspire your workforce.

 Mental Health Initiatives

Share the ways that you prioritize and support your employees’ mental health.

 Organizational Safety

Recognizing the importance of safe physical workplaces, how does your organization stand out?

 Physical Wellness

Share the campaigns, programs and initiatives that you offer which promote employees’ physical health.

 Professional Wellness

Tell us about the professional development programs and initiatives you offer employees to help them advance in their careers.

 Social Wellbeing

Share the campaigns, programs and initiatives that provide a sense of social belonging among your workforce.

 Strategic HR

This is where you tell us what makes your HR department tick and how the HR strategy — particularly your focus on employee wellbeing — aligns with your organization’s business goals.

 Talent Recruitment

Share your most successful efforts to attract talent to your organization.

 Talent Retention

Spotlighting the strategies and tactics to retain employees.

 Wellness Measurement Program

We want to hear how you are measuring the effectiveness of your wellness programs.

 Women’s Health/Wellbeing

What special offerings do you provide for female employees at your organization?

 Work-From-Home Strategies

Tell us how you are keeping your dispersed workforce, particularly those working from home, engaged and present at work.

 Working Parents/Caregivers Health/Wellbeing

We will recognize employers offering exceptional services and programs to families and working parents.

TEAMS OF THE YEAR

 Top HR Team (HR team of 25+ people)

 Top HR Team (HR team of 10-24 people)

 Top HR Team (Small HR team of 2-10 people)

 Top HR + Communications Partnership

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

 Hall of Fame

Recognizing outstanding HR leaders with 20+ years’ experience.

 Bridge Builder

This leader forges internal and external connections to effect meaningful change.

 Broker of the Year

Recognizing the partners and counselors helping organizations implement effective and efficient wellness programs.

 Chief Medical Officer

Recognizing this critical internal partner who leads the way through science, collaboration and communication to support the health of all employees.

 CEO of the Year

Saluting the top executives who walk the talk of wellness and support and invest in wellness programs.

 CHRO of the Year

Saluting the Chief Human Resources Officers who lead year-round initiatives focused on employee wellbeing and engagement.

 Culture Officer of the Year

Saluting the Chief Culture Officers who walk the talk of wellness and support successful initiatives year-round.

 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader

These leaders take action to ensure their organization promotes a workplace that champions diversity, equity and inclusion.

 Dynamic Do-er

We’ll highlight the practitioners in HR and wellness who roll up their sleeves and get it done. And then some.

 Executive Coach

Recognizing coaches who effectively work with leadership and partner with HR to help executives achieve their full potential.

 Financial Wellbeing Champion

These leaders offer guidance and support for helping employees create a financial plan to maintain financial stability and mitigate anxiety.

 HR Leader to Watch

These human resource professionals are always on top of their game and keep employees informed of all the latest must-know HR information, resources, news and more.

 Innovator

We’ll highlight those who stay ahead of the curve and find new and creative ways to achieve HR goals.

 Mental Health Leader

These leaders ensure employees’ mental wellbeing is a priority at their organization and offer support and resources for workers.

 Mentor

We’ll shine a spotlight on those who take future leaders under their wings and teach them how to fly.

 Rising Star (Age 30 or under)

This cohort represents the industry’s up-and-comers in HR and wellness.

 Social Wellbeing Leader

They ensure employees feel a sense of belonging within the organization by championing their diverse ideas and backgrounds and leading with respect.

 Sustainability Champion

This leader does their part to make a positive impact on the natural world and its condition.

 Team Leader

We’ll recognize those who lead with confidence, empathy and purpose.

 Technology Whiz

They embrace the benefits of digital tools to facilitate HR activities and initiatives.

 Total Rewards Leader

Shining a spotlight on the strategists and supporters of impactful employee benefits programs.

 Wellness Communicator

It’s one thing to have a great wellness program and another to communicate it to the masses. Who’s leading the wellness communications at your organization?

HOW TO ENTER

On the entry form, be sure to include a thorough synopsis explaining the purpose and scope of your entry when entering in the Campaigns/Initiatives categories. The synopsis should be 350 to 900 words and include the following sub-headings (when applicable):

  • Goals
  • Strategy and tactics
  • Execution
  • Evaluation: success, results or ROI

Be sure to follow the guidelines laid out in the category descriptions, as the judges will look for those elements when they select the winners.

When entering the “Top People” category, please provide background information, current job title and at least 3 supporting examples of why this person deserves to win in the category. We also recommend a link to the nominees’ LinkedIn profile.

You will be able to upload additional documents, links, videos and URLs to your submission. Proprietary or internal information can also be attached and will not be shared with the public.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

These awards are open to organizations and professionals in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Vendors may also submit their work or their client’s work. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your clients.

Companies from around the world are welcome to enter as long as the entry is submitted in English.

Contact Brendan Gannon to find the perfect category for your campaign or project. You can call 312-960-4407 or email brendang@ragan.com.

This year’s program is open to any work executed between Nov. 1, 2021, and Nov. 4, 2022, inclusive.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $425 per entry.

Do you have a campaign, project, person or team you'd like to enter into multiple categories? Pay the original entry fee, and then only $199 for each additional category!

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you apply?
Our Workplace Wellness Awards program helps you measure the success of your work and prove the value of your contributions to your organization. We will announce all finalists in the Spring of 2023 and all finalists will be recognized at a special awards gala in August of 2023, where we will announce category winners. As a winner, you’ll also earn publicity for your brand across our websites and social media audiences, a custom write-up about your campaign and a trophy.
Who can enter?
Entries may be submitted by organizations worldwide. The only requirement is that entries be submitted in English. The program is open to in-house, agency, independent communication practitioners and vendors in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors.
What does it take to be a winner?
We look for top-quality work that shows clear, bold and creative ideas that benefit your business or client. Please provide metrics or results that back up your claims, and share creative collateral such as videos, visual design or websites that were a part of your project. Please look at our past award winners to see what gets recognized and rewarded. We encourage you to submit the same campaign to multiple categories, if you feel they are relevant. Doing so increases your chances of winning. You'll also save on multiple submissions of the same campaign or project.
Why are some deadlines extended?
We extend deadlines based on applicant needs and upcoming promotional opportunities.
When will I find out results?
Winners will be announced in the Spring of 2023 and will be recognized at a special awards gala in August of 2023 during Ragan’s Workplace Wellness Conference.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please call Brendan Gannon at 312-960-4407 or email brendang@ragan.com.

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Hannah Lavelle at 312-960-4628 or email hannahl@ragan.com.

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.