Policy Research Associates has, once again, been recognized by the American Heart Association in its Workplace Health Achievement Index.  This year, PRA achieved bronze-level recognition by embedding a culture of health and wellness in the office.  PRA encourages healthy living by providing a number of options for our employees, including physical activity and wellness support, access to healthy foods, and a tobacco-free workplace.

Physical Activity Support

Office Bike Share

PRA provides two bikes that are available for employees to utilize during their Strategic Renewals and to run errands around town. The bikes are perfect for the Albany County Rail Trail, which runs right behind the office!

Culture of Fitness

An overall culture of fitness is evident at PRA. Employees are encouraged to use their daily strategic renewals for walking, biking, or other forms of physical activity. We also offer a Weight Loss Challenge in the office that allows employees to set goals and support each other in reaching them.

Wellness Support

Wellness Reimbursement

PRA offers a Wellness Reimbursement benefit for employees, reimbursing 50 percent of wellness-related purchases up to $500 per year, with a maximum annual reimbursement of $250. Wellness-related expenses can include race fees, fitness classes, new sneakers, and more!

WellStaff@PRA

Employees from all different program areas make up this wellness committee, which is responsible for organizing wellness programs in the office, maintaining the wellness page on PRA’s Intranet, and creating a wellness board.

Whole Health Month

During the month of January, PRA focuses on multiple aspects of health and wellness. This is done through hosting guest speakers, writing blogs, and encouraging information sharing throughout the workplace.

First Aid/CPR/AED Class

Bi-annually, PRA hosts an onsite First Aid/CPR/AED class for all employees who are interested in being certified. This class has a strong showing, with roughly 10 employees being certified (or recertified) each session.

Healthy Foods

Community Garden

In addition to providing delicious fresh fruits and vegetables for employees to eat, the community garden next to our parking lot offers a great opportunity to get outdoors during the workday!

Field Goods Delivery

Each week for the past 2 years, PRA has been a delivery site Field Goods, a program that delivers local produce and healthy recipes to businesses along the Hudson River. Field Goods is a great way to expose yourself to new and healthy foods as well as support local farms.

Healthy Vending Machine

The healthy vending machine continues to be a big hit in the office. While it is easy to cave and grab an unhealthy snack in the middle of the workday, our Healthy Me Living vending machine offers delicious and healthy snacks such as popcorn, granola bars, and nuts.

Tobacco Free Workplace

The American Heart Association requires all fit-friendly worksites to be tobacco free. PRA meets these requirements by maintaining a tobacco free policy, which

  • Prohibits the use of all tobacco products within the office building
  • Designates outdoor smoking areas that are at least 25 feet from worksite entrances
  • Informs employees of the tobacco-free policy through the company handbook, as well as informs visitors of the policy through informational signage
  • Provides employees access to smoking cessation materials, resources, and treatment

Policy Research works hard to maintain our culture of wellness in the office and is proud to be an awarde for the second year in a row. Thank you to the American Heart Association for recognizing us!