Verizon Wireless Receives Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval For Ninth Consecutive Year

LAUREL, Md., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, which provides a unique host of employee benefits, including on-site mammograms, Pilates for Pregnancy classes and tuition reimbursement, is being honored for the ninth consecutive year by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence.  The nonprofit group dedicated to building and recognizing outstanding workplaces in the Greater Washington, D.C. area will present the nation's largest wireless provider, regionally headquartered in Laurel, Md., with its Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval.  The award recognizes visionary employers that view workplace excellence as a strategic business imperative.    

Verizon Wireless is also being named a Health & Wellness Trailblazer, a distinction presented to companies that promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness -- at work, at home and in the community.

According to the Alliance, winning employers are selected after a comprehensive evaluation process by an independent review panel of professors, Ph. D. students of business, and industrial and organizational psychology and human resources professionals.

"For the ninth consecutive year, we're proud to salute Verizon Wireless for creating a sustained culture of environmental leadership, workplace excellence and workforce health," said Elizabeth Sobrino, executive director, the Alliance for Workplace Excellence. "We believe great workplaces improve a community's quality of life and economic strength."

Verizon Wireless Regional President Mike Maiorana added, "Our Verizon Wireless employees are the best in the business, and they deserve a workplace that reflects their deep commitment to our company and our customers.  We're honored, once again, to receive double recognition from the Alliance for Workplace Excellence."

Verizon Wireless' Laurel, MD regional headquarters, its Hanover facility, and many of the company's nationwide workplaces have fitness centers, employing one or more fitness coaches who promote employee health and wellness.  The centers offer personal training, nutrition seminars, and a range of exercise classes.  In addition, moms-to-be can participate in online physician seminars throughout their pregnancies and take advantage of on-site lactation rooms after their babies are born.

Verizon Wireless has received many prestigious awards, including being named to Baltimore Magazine's Best Places to Work list; DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity List; Best Corporate Citizen from Corporate Responsibility Magazine; Best Company to Work for Working Mothers from Working Mother Magazine; Top Company for Diversity from Hispanic Business, among others.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About The Alliance for Workplace Excellence

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence, (AWE), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by

Montgomery County, Maryland and Discovery Communication, LLC.  

SOURCE Verizon Wireless