Electric Boat Gives $125,000 To Employees

Electric Boat gave $125,000 on Friday to 149 employees who took part in a company program that encourages them to quit smoking, get a physical, check health numbers like blood pressure or use the Electric Boat pharmacy.

More than 6,000 employees or their spouses took part in the program called "It All Counts," and were entered into a database. Winners received prizes ranging from $7,500 to $500, and were chosen at random.

David Morgan, of Lebanon, won the top prize of $7,500. Raymond Gilbert, Jr. of Oakdale and Mohsen Safari of Waterford each took home $5,000.

Gilbert, 50, said he got a physical last June, but he was still suprised when he was notified that he'd won. Then he thought it was his co-workers, kidding him.

"I said, 'How could I verify this?'" he said. "This could be a joke." He said he hasn't decided yet what he'll do for the money.

Morgan said he has some plans for his share. 

"I'm taking my family out to a nice, big meal," he said. "I'm taking my friends golfing. And I have creditors. I'm not going to lie."

The company's had the awards program for four years, and started it to reduce absenteeism, then expanded it to encourage physical exams. The company pharmacy opened first in Kingstown, R.I. in 2007, then opened in Groton in May 2010.

Alvin Ayers, director of health, wellness and disability benefits for Electric Boat, said the pharmacy has saved the company about $1 million annually by providing more generic drugs at a lower cost and reducing pharmacy expenses. Pharmacists also get to know employees and can provide them one-on-one attention, he said.

"Anything people can do to try to get healthier, we want to recognize people for that," he said.