Gentle Giant is pleased to announce that the Washington Business Journal has named us as one of DC’s Healthiest Employers of 2012. In its second year, the Greater Washington’s Healthiest Employers Awards shine a light on local businesses that have made great effort to create health and wellness programs for their employees.

The Healthiest Employer Awards Program recognizes employee-focused organizations striving to create the healthiest workplace and work force. Organizations apply for this acknowledgment by completing a detailed assessment tool that measures wellness programming in several categories. These include culture and leadership commitment, communication and marketing, as well as the various programs and interventions available within the organization’s health and wellness Plan.

While Gentle Giant is a Massachusetts-based moving company with 19 offices across the country, the health and wellness program for each branch office is tailored to the specific employees of each respective warehouse.

Our DC branch has taken full advantage of Gentle Giant’s health and wellness initiatives; it is ingrained in their work culture. In addition to running boxes and furniture all day, the Giants in DC train for athletic events together and recently completed the construction of a Crossfit gym inside the warehouse. This fun YouTube clip shows Gentle Giant Regional Manager Matt Packebusch discussing this gym and the healthy culture at the company.

“All the Giants across the country are enjoying getting fitter and feeling healthier,” Packebusch explains. “Especially in our DC office, everyone wants to be a part of this healthy environment that Gentle Giant supports and encourages.”

Since opening in 1980, Gentle Giant has advocated a healthy lifestyle for employees. This is most famously demonstrated by founder Larry O’Toole taking new hires and longtime employees to run the steps of the Harvard Stadium every week.

At our regional offices across the country, Gentle Giant managers have developed their own fitness challenges for new hires, including interviews being conducted during a 3-mile run!

Congratulations to our DC area Giants for this incredible achievement and for demonstrating what it means to be an award-winning moving company.