(Oakton, Va., November 15, 2013) More than 300 guests learned how companies are turning innovative human resources policies and practices into business success at the 2013 CARE Awards, held Nov. 14 at the Waterford at Fair Oaks. Sixteen companies were recognized for their commitment to corporate social responsibility and encouraging a positive work-life balance.
The event is sponsored by Northern Virginia Family Service, which recognizes the role that HR policies play in employees’ lives through the CARE Awards. Through CARE, NVFS continues the tradition of encouraging family-friendly business practices. In welcoming attendees to the event, NVFS Board Chair, Misti Mukherjee, a partner at Jackson Lewis, explained that NVFS brings hope to thousands through education for the young, food, housing and health care – ultimately strengthening our community.
George Lane, principal at Mercer and CARE Advisory Committee chair, noted what a challenging year it has been, citing the Sequester, government shutdown and healthcare rollout. “With all this uncertainty, we feel anxiety in the workplace – and productivity suffers,” he said. “Companies need to create a culture where employees can be confident to pursue their dreams – and not just the ones that are part of their job description.”
The 2013 CARE Awards winners include:
- American Physical Therapy Association – credits their staff for creating a “family-like” environment to serve 85,000 “passionate, loyal and mission-driven” health care professionals
- AMERICAN SYSTEMS – the employee-owned company gives it a distinct sense of unity and common purpose, along with pride in the service they provide for our national priorities
- Compusearch – balances high performance and client satisfaction with freedom for employees to determine working hours and location to create a modern, respectful operating culture
- Congressional Federal Credit Union – while working on big programs, the credit union realizes the “small” things they do for individual employees (extended leave for critical family illness) are the most meaningful in the end
- Consumer Technology Association – to address loss of talent to commuting issues, CTA offers a $25,000 mortgage benefit to its employees who make a three-year commitment to the association
- Custom Ink – employee engagement, customer service and the golden rule help create an experience that customers will remember; the company also surveys employees bi-monthly for feedback
- Dimension Data – has a “WFA” (Work from Anywhere) policy to attract and retain talent, gives employees their birthday off, and prides itself on its global employee engagement score
- FMP Consulting – the company’s CEO insists: “Our only rule is that we don’t create any stupid rules,” which has cleared the way for employees to innovate
- InCadence Strategic Solutions – credits the CARE Awards for being a constant reminder to go above and beyond in providing employees with the resources and benefits they need to be successful
- Kearney & Company – appreciates the CARE Awards process for helping the company maintain its employee-first focus, while continuously changing and improving
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association – commits to its mission with employee projects in the communities they serve and around the world, as well as youth tours for rural youth to experience Washington, D.C., and meet elected officials
- Navy Federal Credit Union – takes care of its employees through a wellness program, annual awards and family events, so they can take care of their members
- Sapient Government Services – logged 800 hours of volunteering including pro-bono service, the Honor Flight WWII veterans program and Children’s Inn at NIH, helping realize both employee potential and the potential of the communities they serve
- Tenacity Solutions – fosters innovation through peer award and employee recognition programs; the company elects an ombudsman to represent employees and their concerns each year.
- Titania Solutions Group – emphasizes to its employees that they are building careers, not just performing a job, which includes the golden rule, a sense of urgency on behalf of customers, and working as a team
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. – encourages its employees to volunteer and to serve on boards, helping the company connect to the communities where they operate in the U.S.
Nominations for the 2014 CARE Awards will open in March, and include written application, employee survey and site visit.
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