Wyndham Worldwide Honored at White House for Leadership in Reduction of Health Disparities in the Workplace

One of the world’s largest hospitality companies recognized during special roundtable held by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, White House Business Council,and National Business Group on Health

Parsippany, 2012-08-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN), one of the nation’s largest hospitality companies, was recognized at the White House yesterday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the White House Business Council and the National Business Group on Health. Wyndham Worldwide was a recipient of the National Business Group on Health Award for Innovation in Reducing Health Care Disparities in 2011.

Acknowledged for its commitment and forward-thinking leadership in reducing health care disparities in the workplace, Wyndham Worldwide was one of eight companies, and the only hospitality company, invited to the roundtable discussion at the White House. William Skrzat, senior vice president, compensation and benefits at Wyndham Worldwide, shared the Company’s successful “Be Well” associate wellness program, and together with the other panelists, discussed the future opportunities and potential challenges companies of all sizes face to further reduce health care disparities.

“We are thrilled to be invited to the White House and representing our company and industry in discussing a topic that impact not only the health and wellness of employees, but the overall cost of health care across the nation,” says Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “Our culture at Wyndham Worldwide is based on our ‘Count On Me!’ service philosophy, and we take pride in our associates knowing that they can count on Wyndham Worldwide to provide the support and resources they need to live healthier lives.”

Launched in 2008, the Company’s “Be Well” program takes a holistic approach to associate health and wellness, addressing physical, emotional, and financial wellness, through a comprehensive offering of benefits and special initiatives and resources, with many services available at low or no additional cost to the associate.

“Be Well may have started as a health program, but in the past four years, has quickly become a part of our culture,” says Skrzat. “It’s now just a part of who we are as a company, and with the support of our executive leadership, has enabled the program to continue growing and delivering great results for our associates as well as the company’s bottom line.”

Ensuring that the “Be Well” program addresses the diverse needs of the over 27,800 strong global workforce at Wyndham Worldwide, the health and benefits team works in collaboration with the Company’s Diversity department to align efforts and ensure needs are identified and addressed. Examples include: a full-time wellness advisor who works to meet the health and wellness needs of the diverse and global population, and a global wellness council comprised of a diverse group of employees to help enhance the Company’s wellness programs and resources, and bring the “Be Well” efforts down to the local level across the vast number of Company locations.

Joining Wyndham Worldwide at the White House were representatives from Aetna, American Express, Cigna, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, H.J. Heinz, Pitney Bowes (in partnership with UnitedHealthcare), and Verizon, who also were previously honored by the National Business Group on Health as recipients of its annual Award for Innovation in Reducing Health Care Disparities.

About Wyndham Worldwide

As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses over 7,170 hotels with approximately 608,300 rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange & Rentals offers leisure travelers, including its 3.7 million members, access to approximately 100,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 160 vacation ownership resorts serving over 813,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs approximately 27,800 employees globally.

For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com

Contact:

Michael Valentino
Director of Communications
michael.valentino@wyn.com

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