Local awards recognize sterling workplaces [Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.]
| By Carol Hazard, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. | |
| McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Companies in the
The Sterling Workplace Awards, the former Employer All Star Awards, highlight employers who excel in employee engagement, encourage community involvement, promote diversity and inclusion, and support employee development.
The awards are sponsored by Richmond SHRM, a chapter of the national
The top executives at each of the 11 finalist companies were asked to describe in 100 words or less what makes their workplaces sterling.
"It's a place where you can proudly say you want to go when you wake up in the morning,"
The one word that popped up the most in describing their workplaces was family -- in creating a family atmosphere at work or in recognizing the value of employees' families.
Four Sterling Workplace Awards will be given, one each in the following four categories:
--Small companies with up to 99 employees;
--Medium companies with 100 to 499 employees;
--Large companies with 500 to 999 employees; and
--Mega companies with 1,000 or more employees.
In addition to the Sterling Workplace Awards, a
Scoring was based on the results of a survey conducted by
Respondents addressed 65 items intended to assess the upper levels of organizational management and the attention given to employee focus, motivation and development.
And the finalists, along with responses to what makes their workplaces sterling, are:
SMALL COMPANIES
CarLotz
Business: A used-vehicle consignment store
CEO and co-founder:
Local operations: Based in
Number of employees: 25 companywide; 20 locally
From Bor: "CarLotz is a sterling place to work for two reasons: The company's mission, vision, and business model are built around over-pleasing the customer. The resulting and overwhelming positive feedback and smiling customer faces makes the whole team happy to be part of something special.
"We devote tremendous resources to training, personal and professional development and fun. We've learned that when the focus is on the happiness of the customers and the team, in that order, everybody wins and that's what we're all about."
Business: A diversity strategy consulting firm
CEO:
Location:
Number of employees: 10 including flex workers
From Jana: "TMI works to build stronger communities and workplaces so people can share their skills and passions in healthy, productive environments. We turn diversity from a challenge to a strength, without compromising the well-being of our own employees.
"We take care of our community and our team like our own family. Working at TMI means knowing you are making the world a safer, more inclusive place and knowing that a team of people really care about you as well.
"We don't challenge time off, flex work, personal needs, and extracurricular activities, we embrace them. Anything that's important to our team members is important to us, period."
Unboxed Technology
Business: Creates interactive software tools that help companies train employees, teach customers and increase productivity
Founders:
Location:
Number of employees: 32
From Leach and Romero: "At Unboxed, we make the complex simple through our mobile-friendly sales, training and operations products. But working here isn't about the projects. It's about the people. We hire incredibly passionate and creative learners who take action, share ideas, ask questions and find solutions. And we approach everything with humility and humor.
"Unboxed is filled with family, not just co-workers; somewhere you feel challenged, not bored; where you experience personal and professional growth, not stagnation and bureaucracy; and, perhaps most importantly, it's a place where you can proudly say you want to go when you wake up in the morning."
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MEDIUM COMPANIES
Business: Direct-to-consumer auto insurance
CEO:
Local operations: U.S. headquarters in
Number of employees: 259 locally
From Chidwick: "
Business: Community bank offering deposit, loan, mortgage and investment services to individuals and businesses
CEO, president:
Local operations: Based in
Number of employees: 210 companywide, 197 in
From Winfree: "It is said that flying in a 'V' formation, a flock of geese adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Similarly, people who are part of a team and share a common direction will get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the trust of one another.
"This is our philosophy at
Business: Provides commercial property and casualty, specialty and personal insurance coverages
CEO, president:
Local operations:
Number of employees: 181 companywide; 169 locally
From Schmitzer: "James River is more than just the steel and glass building, office furniture, and PCs that punctuate every office. It truly is about the belief in living our core values and guiding principles of integrity, accountability, communication and teamwork, innovation and customer service. We strive to live these values each and every day and imbed them in everything we do.
"I am always impressed by our employees' willingness to give of their time, talent, and resources whether it is within the company or out into the community. I am proud to call James River our family of 181 dedicated employees.
------
LARGE COMPANIES
Business: provides medical diagnostic testing and patient counseling
President, CEO and co-founder:
Local operations:
Number of employees: 677 companywide; 601 locally
From Mallory: "
"HDL employees enjoy quarterly town hall meetings, Lab Week to celebrate and recognize employees that work in the lab, a company
Senior most local leader:
Local operations: A call center in western
Number of employees: 38,000 nationally, 670 locally
From Bills: "At T-Mobile, the internal and external customer service we provide is our top priority. We work hard to ensure we take care of our customer service and retail sales representatives who are the face of T-Mobile to our customers, every day. We believe that when our team members are engaged, they will share that same passion, concern and enthusiasm with our customers."
Business: Legal and consulting services in 14 U.S. and five overseas offices
Managing partner:
Local operations:
Number of employees: 1,641 companywide; 544 locally
From O'Neill: "At
"We provide interesting and challenging work, opportunities to learn and advance, rewards for good work both inside and outside the office and caring support in times of personal need.
"The result is a team that is dedicated not only to the firm and its clients but also to each other. We believe this makes our firm a sterling place to work."
------
MEGA COMPANIES
Federal Reserve Bank of
Business: Participates in formulating national monetary policy, provides payment-system services, oversees banking activity in
President:
Local operations:
Number of employees: 1,877 locally, 2,231 districtwide
From
"To do that well, we must serve with integrity. That's something the public expects from us and something we expect from each other. Leading with courage, simply put, means doing what's right, even when it's not easy. We aspire every day to perform with excellence. This is where our team shines. Our motivation to work hard comes from a deep respect for one another and those we serve."
Business: Health care
CEO:
Local operations: Bon Secours hospitals (
Number of employees: 12,200 companywide; 7,500 in
From Bernard: "What makes Bon Secours stand apart is our mission of being good help to those in need. Our mission permeates every aspect of our organization and informs our business decisions.
"The Bon Secours physicians, clinicians and employees live out this mission by bringing world-class, experienced health care to our community in a compassionate and exceptional manner. As our employees focus on delivering the best health care and patient experience, Bon Secours leaders are dedicated in supporting them and their families with the workplace culture and benefits they need to be as successful at home as they are at work."
___
(c)2013 the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)
Visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.) at www.timesdispatch.com
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