11 Workplace Wellness Program Awards Worth Winning

Introduction to Wellness Program Awards

A thriving workplace is its own reward, but sometimes it earns a trophy too! Wellness program awards shine a light on organizations that lead with empathy, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to employee well-being. This kind of recognition matters: nearly 90% of employees at organizations with wellness programs report being happy and engaged at work, and 87% of employees consider wellness benefits a key factor when choosing an employer. For businesses, winning a wellness reward reinforces company culture, strengthens recruiting efforts, and validates the hard work that goes into creating an environment where employees can thrive.

Emerging Trends in Wellness Awards

Wellness awards are evolving alongside workplace priorities. In addition to recognizing physical health initiatives, many programs now spotlight mental health; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and holistic well-being as standout company features. Innovative solutions like digital wellness platforms, inclusive program design, and lifestyle spending accounts are increasingly recognized as key drivers of employee engagement.

11 Major Workplace Wellness Awards

1. Aetna Workplace Well-Being Award

Launched in 2017, the Aetna Workplace Well-Being Award celebrates employers that have made meaningful progress in supporting employee health through strategic, data-driven wellness programs. Applications are evaluated based on performance across the most recent 12-month period, with criteria including leadership support, program design, communication, engagement, incentives, and outcomes. Award levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—reflect the overall strength and impact of an organization’s well-being strategy, with Platinum reserved for employers demonstrating exceptional innovation and results.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Must be Aetna medical clients in the U.S. (e.g., middle market, public and labor, or national account segments) with at least 100 employees 
• Need to demonstrate a comprehensive well-being strategy (e.g., program design, leadership support, employee engagement)

📋 How to Apply

• Contact an Aetna account representative to begin the application process 

2. Best and Brightest in Wellness®

The Best and Brightest in Wellness award recognizes organizations that go beyond basic wellness offerings (e.g., offering on-demand mental health counseling, integrating well-being goals into company-wide KPIs) to build truly healthy workplaces and communities. Part of the nationally and regionally respected Best and Brightest program, this award evaluates companies based on their efforts to support employee well-being across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Honorees stand out for embedding wellness into their culture through data-driven strategies, employee education, benefits design, and broader community impact. What sets this program apart is its commitment to ongoing growth: award recipients join a nationwide community with access to exclusive benchmarking data, performance metrics, expert guides, educational content, peer networking, and training opportunities.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to public and private U.S. organizations of all sizes, industries, and locations 
• Eligible applicants must demonstrate comprehensive efforts across multiple dimensions of well-being 

📋 How to Apply

• Nominate your company here for national recognition and/or participate in regional programs (e.g., Michigan) if available

3. Best Employers Award: Excellence in Health & Well-being

Presented by the Business Group on Health, the Best Employers Award honors organizations that lead with purpose when it comes to supporting employee health and well-being on a strategic, cultural, and operational level. This prestigious award highlights employers that integrate well-being into the core of their business through leadership commitment, inclusive programming, measurable outcomes, and continuous innovation. Recipients gain national and global visibility, along with a media toolkit and digital assets to promote their recognition. Awardees are celebrated during the Business Group’s Annual Conference and may also qualify for additional distinctions in areas such as mental health, health inclusion, or global health and well-being.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to Business Group on Health member and non‑member employers committed to advancing employee health and well‑being through robust strategies
• Non‑member companies may need to meet additional criteria (e.g., Forbes rankings or workforce size thresholds) to apply

📋 How to Apply

• Start the application process here

4. C. Everett Koop National Health Awards

The C. Everett Koop National Health Award, presented by The Health Project, acknowledges workplace health programs that achieve measurable improvements in employee well-being and business outcomes. Established in 1994 and rooted in evidence-based practice, the award honors employers that have intentionally built and sustained comprehensive health initiatives across their workforce, and can clearly demonstrate results by answering three fundamental questions: (i) what was done, (ii) did it work, and (iii) was it worth it in terms of health outcomes and organizational value. With a legacy tied to former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, the award is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous benchmarks of workplace well-being excellence.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Any business or organization can apply if they have had a program in place for at least three years 
• Programs must use extensive, evidence-based strategies to improve the health and well-being of the full employee population (e.g., low- to high-risk individuals) 

📋 How to Apply

• The 2026 Koop Award is currently on pause as The Health Project conducts strategic planning; application updates will be shared here once available

5. Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation™ 

This award recognizes employers that demonstrate a strong, organization-wide commitment to employee well-being. Evaluated across areas like population health, inclusive policies, leadership support, and holistic program design, recipients are awarded Bronze, Silver, or Gold status. Gold indicates exemplary senior leadership engagement and a culture that supports well-being across multiple dimensions, including health equity. Awardees also receive a promotional toolkit to showcase their achievement and reinforce their dedication to workforce well-being.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to employers across all industries and sizes 
• Must demonstrate organizational commitment to employee well-being, population health strategies and engagement, supportive policies, accommodations, and infrastructure, leadership involvement, and health equity considerations 

📋 How to Apply

• Connect directly with a Cigna Healthcare representative to access the application and complete submission guidelines

6. Excellence in Wellness

Presented by Marquee Health, the Excellence in Wellness Awards recognize employers that deliver high-impact wellness programs grounded in strategy, engagement, and measurable outcomes. This award celebrates organizations that go beyond surface-level initiatives to create holistic well-being experiences that improve employee health and business performance. Evaluation is based on real program data—including participation metrics, health outcomes, leadership involvement, and multi-dimensional support across physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Winners gain national visibility and are acknowledged for building resilient, health-focused cultures that prioritize their people.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to organizations of all sizes and industries across the U.S. 
• Must demonstrate measurable engagement and outcomes across multiple dimensions of well-being (e.g., physical, mental, emotional) 

📋 How to Apply

• If interested in applying, learn more here

7. Global Healthy Workplace Award

The Global Healthy Workplace Awards offer employers a rare chance to measure their well‑being efforts against a global standard of excellence and gain recognition on the world stage. Open to organizations of all types and sizes—from small and medium enterprises to large national and multinational employers—this program highlights multifaceted workplace health strategies where winners are selected based on the quality, innovation, and impact of their health, safety, and well‑being initiatives. Beyond the trophy, awardees benefit from year‑long global visibility and access to a network of thought leaders driving the future of healthy work.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to all employer organizations globally (e.g., public or private, for-profit or nonprofit) 
• Applicants must fit into one of three categories including small and medium-sized enterprises (e.g., fewer than 500 employees), large enterprises (e.g., more than 500 employees), or multinational enterprises (e.g., operations in multiple countries) 

📋 How to Apply

• Submit an online application via the official portal here

8. Healthiest Employers^® and Healthiest 100™ Workplaces

The Healthiest Employers® awards program spotlights organizations that lead with purpose when it comes to employee health. Founded in 2009, this national program recognizes forward-thinking companies that prioritize well-being through proactive, data-driven strategies. The program celebrates employers who see health as a core business asset—investing in people, reducing long-term healthcare costs, and building cultures that support physical, mental, and social well-being. Each fall, the Healthiest 100™ Workplaces in America are selected from top regional applicants across all locations and company sizes, celebrating the most innovative, people-first employers making measurable strides in employee health.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Need to be a business, nonprofit, or government entity with at least two full-time employees and an active wellness program 
• Remote companies must have a regional location that supports in-person engagement 

📋 How to Apply

• Complete the full application—including essays, employee engagement data, and program documentation—by July 31

9. Ragan Workplace Wellness Awards

The Ragan Workplace Wellness Awards honor organizations that embed well-being into the core of their culture through innovative HR, benefits, and communication strategies. Recognized companies go beyond surface-level programming to create environments that actively support the mental, physical, social, and financial health of their employees. Award categories span a wide range of focus areas, including Culture Officer of the Year, Top HR Team, Best Work-Life Balance, and Outstanding Total Rewards Programs. Whether recognizing an entire organization or a standout wellness leader, this program celebrates those shaping healthier, more human-centered workplaces where well-being drives performance and culture.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to organizations of all sizes and industries, including corporate, nonprofit, agency, and government sectors  
• International entries are accepted, but all submissions must be in English 

📋 How to Apply

• Complete the online entry form, including a brief narrative summary, supporting documentation (e.g., metrics, visuals, testimonials), and any required assets for one or more categories

10. Regional Worksite Wellness Council Awards

Across the U.S., regional wellness councils recognize local employers for their commitment to building healthy workplaces through awards tailored to community needs and public health goals. These programs, such as the WorkWell Massachusetts Awards, spotlight organizations that implement evidence-based strategies to support employee well-being, often in collaboration with local chambers of commerce or public health departments. While award names, criteria, and categories vary by region, most evaluate employers on wellness program design, leadership support, community impact, and health outcomes. These awards offer a valuable opportunity for organizations to receive local recognition, connect with peer employers, and strengthen their reputation as a wellness leader within their community.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to employers of all sizes and industries operating within the region 
• Most regional awards require completion of a structured assessment or survey that aligns with local public health goals or wellness frameworks 

📋 How to Apply

• Visit your local wellness council’s website to view specific award criteria and application deadlines

11. Well Workplace Award

Presented by the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), the Well Workplace Award recognizes organizations that build high-impact wellness strategies using WELCOA’s signature 7 Benchmarks—ranging from leadership engagement to supportive environments and results evaluation. This well-established award emphasizes long-term culture change over short-term participation metrics. The framework encourages a strategic, data-informed approach to employee well-being that aligns with organizational goals. Employers are recognized at four levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—based on program maturity, integration, and measurable outcomes.

✅ Eligibility & Requirements

• Open to all U.S. organizations, regardless of size or industry 
• Applicants must demonstrate alignment with WELCOA’s 7 Benchmarks 

📋 How to Apply

• Get started on your application here

Tips for a Winning Application

• Anchor your story in outcomes: Highlight what changed as a result of your wellness efforts (e.g., participation trends, engagement gains, health improvements, or cultural shifts) rather than listing programs alone. 
• Show leadership and culture in action: Include examples of how leaders support, model, or invest in well‑being across the company.

• Demonstrate a holistic, inclusive approach: Reflect well‑being across multiple dimensions (e.g., mental, physical, financial, social) and show how programs are accessible and relevant to diverse employee needs. 
• Use data to support your narrative: Incorporate metrics like survey feedback, utilization rates, and year‑over‑year improvements to help validate your impact and strengthen credibility. 
• Be clear, concise, and intentional: Follow application instructions closely, answer questions directly, and tailor your responses to the award’s criteria rather than submitting a one‑size‑fits‑all narrative.