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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the fourth time in the past five years, Unum (NYSE:UNM) has received national recognition for its commitment to the health of its U.S. employees.

The 2008 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Gold Award comes from the National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit organization of large employers. The award recognizes companies for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who are committed to long-term behavior changes.

"As one of 63 companies recognized this year for their employee health and wellness programs, Unum is at the vanguard of a national movement to promote a system-wide culture of health emphasizing prevention, exercise, and eating right," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. "More than ever, a healthy workforce is critical to helping America's large employers compete in the global marketplace. Unum is to be applauded for making health and wellness an integral part of their workplace."

Unum aims to be employees' principal source for tools, programs and resources that support individual efforts to use healthcare effectively and efficiently. These goals are achieved through:

    --  Health Resource Centers at four main campuses that provide health
        coaching and wellness services. They are the principal source for
        education, programs, activities and other resources that help support
        employees' efforts to maintain health, identify or reduce health risks,
        or manage effectively a chronic illness. In addition to providing health
        coaching, nurses at each resource center provide limited medical
        assistance including conducting health screenings and administering flu
        shots.
    --  Partnership with Active Health Management provides employees with a
        Health Assessment Tool and Personal Health Record. The health assessment
        and personal health record produces a personalized and confidential
        health report to each employee. Employees may share this report with
        their doctors to review potential risks for certain medical conditions
        and identifies ways to improve health.
    --  A comprehensive communications strategy dedicated to educating employees
        about the company's benefit programs and stressing the importance of
        physical activity and good nutrition. In addition to explaining the
        health resources provided by the company, Unum communicates how
        employees can improve their health as well as help mitigate the effects
        of rising health care.
    --  Health-conscious food choices at the company's home office cafeterias
        that serve nearly 8,000 employees. Developing awareness about nutrition
        has helped stimulate employee demand for healthy meal choices.
    --  Other programs and services including on-site fitness facilities at four
        company locations; a 24-hour help and baby benefits nurse line; an
        employee assistance program with a variety of information on
        health-related topics; and periodic campaigns focused on weight
        reduction, physical activity and overall well-being.

"Finding ways to help employees maintain and improve their health is an important element of Unum's commitment to the wellness of individuals and their families," said Linda A. Levesque, Unum's vice president of Human Resources, Benefits. "We're pleased that the value of that commitment is recognized."

Now in its fifth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards honor companies' exceptional commitment to a healthy workplace and for helping employees and families make better choices about their own health and well-being. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.

About Unum

Unum (www.unum.com) is one of the leading providers of employee benefits products and services in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, Unum Group provided nearly $6 billion in total benefits to customers in 2008.

    Source: Unum