Meet the 2013 Sloan Award Winners!

The When Work Works initiative administers the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility annually, which recognize exemplary employers for using flexibility as part of an effective workplace strategy to increase business and employee success.

Congratulations to the 2013 Sload Award Winners!

Below are the profiles of some of the winners.

BDO USA, LLP
“As a firm, BDO is committed to being an employer of choice and our employees overwhelmingly tell us that managing flexibility and work life fit is very important to them. The BDO Flex Strategy is a direct outgrowth of our commitment to employees and staying at the forefront of workplace flexibility,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. “To be recognized with the Sloan Awards for five consecutive years is powerful evidence of the effectiveness of BDO Flex. These awards are especially gratifying because they use an employee survey as a major part of the evaluation process.” BDO takes a holistic approach when it comes to creating a supportive work environment where both employee and company needs can thrive. Employees are encouraged to find an individualized flexibility solution that works for them, while pursuing business needs. During the busy season, toolkits provide employees with ideas for reducing stress.

Caliper
“At Caliper, our primary mission is to help clients engage their employees by placing them in a role and an environment that they love,” said Dr. Herb Greenberg, PhD, founder and CEO of Caliper. “This honor is proof we’re not only recommending approaches to enhance workplace effectiveness and employee satisfaction, but living it. I’m proud to be recognized for an award I very much believe in, and even prouder knowing my own team is feeling the positive effects of a flexible, trusting work space.”

Caliper provides employees with programs that help them deal with work-life challenges, enhancing the company’s culture and its ability to attract and retain top talent. Employees are able to flex work schedules and telecommute; the latter so successfully that Caliper’s most profitable day in their 50-year history was during a snowstorm where the business was supported with a 100% remote workforce.

Cordell, Neher & Company, PLLC
Cordell, Neher & Company enables employees studying for the CPA exam to study at work, on the company’s dime and offers robust training options. There are opportunities for employees to alter their schedules based on life changes and during the busy season and throughout the year, employees’ hours are limited to ensure they’re taking enough time away from work.

Designs For Learning
Designs For Learning sees an effective and flexible workplace as something that’s been engrained in the organization since its inception. The leaders of the company keep the lines of communications open between employees and supervisors to respond to schedule needs. Workplace flexibility is seen as one of the best ways to increase employee productivity, effective work habits and employee satisfaction.

Eagle County Government
Eagle County Government employees are encouraged to have open lines of communication with their managers so they can find the best ways to work for everyone by working with their supervisors to create flexible work arrangements. Leaders say the strongest business case for implementing flexibility is attracting and retaining exceptional employees.

Hawley Troxell
Leaders at Hawley Troxell work hard to create a culture that emphasizes the importance of life outside of work and also bolster wellness for its employees. Management works closely with employees to address work-life conflicts, which leaders believe has resulted in low turnover; and cross training also helps decrease feelings of overwork during busy times of year.

Hillcrest Family Services
Leaders at Hillcrest Family Services say that flexibility has increased employee productivity and job satisfaction by balancing employee and business needs. Leaders are willing to respond to employees’ needs for flexibility as long as they make good business sense; and part timers working more than 20 hours a week are entitled to benefits.

Laughlin Constable
“Receiving this particular award is especially exciting because it takes into account what our employees have to say about the agency,” said Joyce O’Brien, Executive Vice President at Laughlin Constable. “This honor truly shows how LC works with its employees to provide the best possible work environment.” The work environment at Laughlin Constable is creative and fun, yet professional, and leaders have developed a culture of trust by providing employees with a bevy of effective work practices. Management believes that by providing workplace flexibility, employees feel a sense of loyalty to the company.

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s leaders have tried to create a sustainable workplace for employees. Most staff members are able to pick their work schedule, easily flexing the hours during which they work, and employees can make up time instead of using sick hours when they are out sick or need to take care of doctor appointments for themselves or family members.

Mom Corps
At Mom Corps, employees basically decide how they’re going to get their work done and handle their own work-life issues. There are few restraints on where or when employees work – as long as the work gets done. Though flexibility often focuses on child or elder care, employees are encouraged to work flexibly no matter the cause, whether it be caring for others or a yoga class.

Oncology Nursing Society
At Oncology Nursing Society all employees, regardless of exemption classification, can take advantage of flexible workplace practices, and employees and supervisors do not have to go through multiple levels of approval to change schedules, telecommute or request time off. Leaders believe maintaining a flexible workplace builds trust in the organization and allows employees to be productive without having to worry about how they will manage work and life demands.

Orbit Logic
Leaders at Orbit Logic have found unique ways to help busy employees manage work and family, and still remain productive, even in the face of difficult business conditions. Over 80% of the company’s staff members have had a child in the past two years. These new parents have benefitted from having nannies in the office, flexible returns to work after the birth of the baby and baby play date lunches for bring their child to work day.

Ryan
"We are forging a new age of business productivity based on workplace flexibility, leading to even higher levels of client service and results." -G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan

Ryan has created an effective and flexible work place by empowering employees, offering them opportunities for career advancement, and providing a helping hand when they face financial issues. Leaders understand that certain jobs may limit flexible work options. Nevertheless, they encourage teams to find ways to extend those options when they can. And employees are offered numerous training opportunities to understand how they can make flexibility work best for their personal needs.

Senior Services
Leaders at Senior Services embrace the belief that cultural, social, and other differences should be respected and celebrated. All employees are responsible for providing and supporting a culturally competent work environment that enriches interactions with each other and their products and services. And internships and mentorships help attract young employees.