Case Study: Norfolk Southern Corporation creates a healthier, more engaged workforce with Personify Health

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Customer Case Study

Norfolk Southern, one of the U.S.’s largest railroads with about 30,000 employees (25,000 in the field), faced a major engagement and culture challenge: how to promote health and well‑being across a highly dispersed, mobile workforce with limited access to computers. Traditional weight‑loss contests reached only a few employees and failed to move the needle on rising healthcare costs and workplace safety.

Starting with its WellNS program and adding Virgin Pulse in 2011, Norfolk Southern rolled out an easy‑to‑use portal, on‑site HealthZone kiosks, companywide collaborative challenges and rewards to encourage daily, achievable health behaviors. Participants now average 10,600 steps per day, with 81% getting recommended vigorous activity and 71% meeting overall activity guidelines; 63% have maintained and 60% improved blood pressure, 77% maintained BMI and 18% improved it. Participating employees take about two fewer sick days per year (85.14 vs. 96.66 sick hours) and non‑union healthcare costs fell from $247.64 to $240.08 per member per month.

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Mary Pitman

Manager of Health Promotion