HCN News & Notes

Two Organizations Receive 2016 Employer of Choice Recognition

AGAWAM — Two Massachusetts organizations were recognized as Employer of Choice Award recipients by the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE): Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield and Venture Community Services of Sturbridge. The awards were given at EANE’s Employment Law and HR Practices Conference luncheon at the Springfield Marriott on Nov. 3.

Employer of Choice Awards recognize companies and organizations for developing workplaces that value employees, foster engagement, invest in training, and reward performance. Past winners view the award as a cornerstone of their company credentials and often highlight the award in recruiting and retention, grants and funding applications, and business development. All winners receive a professional, customized video that spotlights the company’s achievements.

“We received a wealth of great applicants. Regardless of size, the best organizations are measuring employee engagement in some way and using that data to make a difference in a manner they can afford,” said Meredith Wise, president of EANE. “From cool communications tactics leveraging mobile apps to innovative green initiatives to company-paid time off for community service, the array of engagement tools is always inspiring.”

Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield is a unique pediatric specialty, research, and teaching hospital providing orthopedic, rheumatology, and cleft lip and palate care using the latest innovations in diagnosis and treatment. The hospital is designed exclusively for children, offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient services under one roof, so children can receive family-centered care and treatment. It treats thousands of children locally and internationally each year regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Venture Community Services is a not-for-profit human-service agency that provides support to individuals facing diverse challenges through a compassionate and dedicated workforce using innovative practices that encourage independence, empowerment, and opportunity. Its clinical programs include adult foster care, autism support, community day programs, community residences, shared living, supported employment, transportation services, and youth and family support.

Employers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island who have been in business for at least three years and have a minimum of 25 employees are eligible to participate. Both the company size and its resources are considered in the screening and selection process. Entrants are judged in areas including company culture, training and development, communication, recognition and reward, and work-life balance.