Top Family-Friendly Companies Attract Top Employees with Work Perks

by Helen Riddle and Michelle Day

Frederick County’s Office of Economic Development, Workforce Services and Chamber of Commerce, along with the city of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development selected five companies they determined were the most family-friendly work environments in the county. The winners were based on responses to a survey e-mailed to Frederick County employers.

Work perks such as flexible schedules, telecommuting and lunchtime yoga and massage, in addition to traditional benefits such as healthcare coverage and retirement, career advancement options, professional development opportunities and flexible schedules served as the focus of the 2010 Family Friendly awards.

Employees who are fortunate enough to work for these family-friendly companies enjoy the benefits far beyond the workplace. Benefits such as flexible schedules allow employees to better balance their home and work lives. Gym memberships and corporate gyms give employees the added incentive to stay fit, and programs for professional development encourage career advancement with the support of employers and co-workers.

Given the choice between working at a company that is “family friendly” where consideration is given to all aspects of an employee’s wellness on a much higher level, and working at a company where limited consideration is given to employee needs, there really is no contest. Employees covet the positions at these companies. Family-friendly companies encourage camaraderie, personal growth, a stronger sense of self-worth  and an overall feeling of having contributed to the organization, making the work experience far more rewarding.

The winners, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); DMS, Inc.; Frederick Memorial Hospital; SAICFrederick; and U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Detrick, were chosen from more than 900 employers in the county.

A family-friendly business is an employer that ranked highest for meeting the following criteria:

• Professional development
• Positive workplace culture
• Community involvement and social responsibility practices
• Work/life balance
• Health, dental and vision insurances; 401K
• Employee assistance programs
• Childcare assistance
• New manager training
• Ergonomic work stations
• Flexible spending accounts
• Reimbursement of gym memberships or on-site gyms
• Annual wellness fairs
• Company-sponsored sports and recreation teams
• Free immunizations
• Leadership succession planning
• Direct tuition payment

Many businesses reported that promoting their family-friendly benefits helped contain costs by attracting better job candidates and fostering a work environment that is productive and congenial. Ultimately, workers don’t want to leave, thereby reducing absenteeism and cutting recruiting expenses.

As a result, employees need fewer sick days and are more productive and focused as less time is spent on childcare issues. Happy, loyal employees are the best marketing tool for any successful business.

About the 2010 Winners

• The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (aopa.org) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1939. Its mission is to keep general aviation safe, affordable and fun.

• DMS, Inc., (dmsinc.com) provides information and management science expertise that helps its clients complete projects and meet goals.

• Frederick Memorial Hospital, Inc., (fmh.org) provides comprehensive medical service in a continuum of care from education, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, both in a hospital environment and at off-site facilities.

• SAIC-Frederick, Inc., (saicfrederick.com) develops and applies advanced technologies to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to patients with cancer and AIDS.

• The U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Detrick, (detrick.army.mil) hosts multiple national missions in public health in partnership with the Frederick community.

Helen Riddle is the deputy director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and Michelle Day is the manager of the Business Services Team for the Frederick County Workforce Services. They can be reached at Hriddle@fredcomd.net and MDay@fredco-md.net.

Giving young people real life lessons on how to manage money

by Steve Schleupner (CNFC, First Financial Group)

Making Savings:

Setting up a Child Development Account can have a positive effect on both your child’s economic, as well as psychological, betterment, according to a 2009 Center for Social Development study on children’s investment planning. CDAs, which have already been adopted as public policy in the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea and Singapore, are to be recognized as the start in savings that could set the stage for all aspects of life, such as homeownership, business capitalization, investments and retirement, the study concludes.

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