2009
Family-Friendly
Workplace Award
The Brian Klinefelter Foundation developed a Family Friendly Workplace Awards Program to recognize employers that have shown a commitment to growing great kids by implementing practices that foster a family-friendly work environment. It is a part of the Foundation’s Family-Friendly Workplace Initiative, which focuses on helping employers.
The companies we are recognizing tonight leading the way in promoting work-life balance. It is not one practice that makes these companies stand out and worthy of recognition. It’s their approach. They have made work-life practices a part of their culture and are engaging employees to identify practices that best meet their organization’s needs.
Leaders from each of the companies recognized stated that the implementation of work-life balance practices has led to the recruitment and retention of top talent, which has helped them provide better products and service to their customers and their communities.
Netgain (Small Employer)
Netgain first introduced Windows-Based Desktop Hosting in 1999, making it easy for even small businesses to gain access to their email, files and software anywhere. The St. Cloud-based company went on to develop e-Health Architecture to cater to both small clinics and large health organizations. That innovation and personalized approach is what has driven Netgain’s efforts to make it a great place to work.
Since becoming a 9 Steps Workplace Partner last year, Netgain has created a workplace action team to lead the company’s work-life efforts. The team created and conducted an employee survey to assess the work environment and determine which benefits employees were most interested in. Based on those results, the team identified key priorities, gained management buy-in and created action plans.
Employees have designed an employee lounge that will serve as a place to relax, relieve stress and connect with their coworkers. They have volunteered their time to create the lounge and offered to donate items to make the lounge. But it’s the management team’s commitment to family-friendly practices and empowering employees in the process that really sets it apart.
“Netgain has implemented family-friendly initiatives throughout the organization allowing our employees time to focus on what's important.”
~ Kayla Welle, Netgain
Marco (Mid-Size Employer)
At Marco, work-life balance is more than a practice, process or pitch. It’s a part of the employee-owned company’s identity. From annual employee surveys to its product lines, Marco has put work-life balance at the center of its unique culture. When a job is posted, the company is flooded with applicants and people even offer to take any open position so they can work for Marco.
Marco promotes flexibility for its employees to adjust their work schedules to care for their families, attend their children’s activities and volunteer in the community. Marco employees receive their regular pay while volunteering for nonprofit organizations such as the United Way Day of Caring, Junior Achievement and Boys and Girls Scouts. Marco surveys employees on the workplace each year.
“Marco’s unique culture promotes flexibility for employees to adjust their schedules to care for their family, attend children’s activities and maintain a balanced work and home life.”
~ Patty Tholen, Marco
CenterPoint Energy (Large Employer)
CenterPoint Energy, a Minneapolis-based gas utility provider, has been awarded the highest ranking Residential Customer Satisfaction in the Midwest Region of the J.D. Power and Associates and is considered a market leader. CenterPoint leaders credit that success to the company’s commitment to employee happiness. From job sharing and telecommuting to volunteer and family leaves, CenterPoint offers a wide range of work-life benefits to its nearly 1,400 employees.
The company’s new Work-Life Options set policies alternate work arrangements, telecommuting and phase retirement in an effort to promote work-life balance across a variety of departments and job positions. The company also has seen positive results since creating a Safety and Wellness Action group known as the SWAT Team. This group of employees focuses on delivering a variety of health and wellness offerings in the workplace, including on-site health screenings and employee support groups. CenterPoint does not rest on its laurels. Its Employee Suggestion Program is among the ways the company gains feedback and identifies new ways to make CenterPoint an even better place to work.
“We understand that healthy employees inside and out means a better company and a happier staff with improved performance, attendance and sense of community.”
~ Becca Virden, CenterPoint Energy
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