St. Jacobs, ON, October 27, 2017 –Home Hardware has been recognized by the Waterloo Region Healthy Workplace Gold Award for its commitment to employee health. This is the fourth time that the company has received the designation.

Now in its seventh year, the Healthy Workplace Awards program recognizes and celebrates workplaces in Waterloo Region who demonstrate a strong commitment to improved health for their employees.

"The continued success of Home Hardware's Healthy Workplace initiative proves that the more support we give our Staff, the more engaged they become in pursuing healthy lifestyles and a greater environment," says Terry Davis, CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Healthier employees make for a happier, more productive team."

In 2011, Home Hardware launched its comprehensive wellness program in partnership with La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and RWAM Insurance Administrators Inc., to promote healthy lifestyle habits amongst its corporate Staff. The wellness program provides a full spectrum of valuable information about important topics such as fitness, healthy eating and stress management.

Home Hardware continually strives to find innovative ways to encourage its Staff to stay healthy. Initiatives in 2017 include:

• The Canada 150 Physical Activity Challenge: Staff were encouraged to engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Bonus points were provided to Staff who participated in the additional activities of hiking, cycling and swimming. In total, 235 Staff members joined the challenge amongst 47 teams.
• Power of Protein education: Home Hardware's wellness program shared the benefits of protein, consumption requirements and sources.

Home Hardware's Environmental Department also partnered with the Product Care Association and Ontario Electronics Stewardship to collect electronics. Over 3,400 kg of paint cans and aerosol containers were gathered, which diverted more than 2,000 paint cans and aerosols from landfill. Proceeds from the collected electronics were donated to Tree Canada.