VANCOUVER, Wash. — Burgerville, a chain of 39 quick-service restaurants located throughout Oregon and southwest Washington, has been presented with a national Best Practices Honor from the American Psychological Association (APA). Burgerville was recognized for its implementation of numerous programs that promote employee health and well-being, including a comprehensive health-care plan that is unmatched by other QSR chains of its size.
Burgerville's decision to introduce an expanded health-care plan came after an employee survey revealed affordable health-care coverage as the No. 1 concern among workers. In 2006, the company unveiled a health-care plan for hourly workers who have been with Burgerville for more than six months and work an average of at least 20 hours per week. Burgerville pays 95 percent of the premiums for employees and their dependents.
In an industry that typically has high turnover rates, Burgerville says that caring for employees' health more than pays off, according to a news release. The experience and efficiency of longer-tenured employees has raised standards, including speed of service, quality of food and overall customer satisfaction. A reduction in turnover has saved Burgerville more than $500,000 and the company attributes a large portion of its sales increase to the affordable health-care program for employees. Additionally, turnover rates for hourly employees dropped from 130 percent to 54 percent in one year, while management turnover decreased by 18 percent.
Burgerville was one of nine organizations to receive the Best Practices recognition at the annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony held March 9 in Washington, D.C.
