Everyone wants to work for a company where they feel welcomed and are happy to work for. In today’s hectic society, it is hard to imagine any company offering their employees any kind of incentives to not only stay with the company, but to improve their morale in order to improve their work output. It has been discovered that those employers who offer incentives to their employees to improve their well-being, also show improvement in the quality of work, increase in business profits, and overall employee happiness with their job.
There are several factors at a workplace that can provide employees’ with a well-balanced well-being and mental health. Employees need to feel that they are respected, not only by their peers, but also their employers. Employees also need to know they have some autonomy to make decisions when it comes to carrying out activities and events in the workplace. Another important aspect that is important in improving the work environment for employees is the freedom an employer provides their employees in the area of skill development. Employees also like to work for employers who know that interpersonal interaction between employees is a morale booster as well as equitable pay.
When employers don’t offer incentives or treat their employees like fellow human-beings, many problems occur that are not seen in businesses that are just the opposite. Some consequences include such things as absenteeism, poor work performance, reduction in productivity and output, increase in error rates, increased amount of accidents, loss of motivation and commitment, burnout, tension and conflicts between colleagues, poor relationships with clients, and an increase in disciplinary problems.
So, what companies in the Washington, DC area are known to be the best companies to work for by employees due to their offered incentives and good working environment? The list below describes the companies and what they offer that makes them so attractive to their employees.
1. Snagajob
Industry: Media -- online internet services
Location: Richmond, VA
Employees: 231
The Snagajob management team at this online recruitment business fosters companyculture by training employees in a variety of interviewing and assessment skills. Up to a dozen eventually consult with the chief executive officer on the selection of each new hire. Then there's the "Culture Squad," a representative group of "snaggers" from every department that focuses on maintaining and improving company culture. The squad welcomes new hires as they complete their "Snagger Confession," a list of fun personal facts shared with their colleagues over the company's employee-only online network. New employees are armed with a company field guide containing useful information to get up to speed on the Snagajob culture, including a list of restaurants near the office, how to explain the company business to a stranger at a cocktail party and five things employees wish they knew on their first day.
Employee Perks: Bonuses, Free Snacks, Free Beverages, Mailing, Massage, Dry Cleaning, Free Lunch, Free Breakfast
Industry: Information technology -- software
Location: Arlington, VA
Employees: 27
Arlington, Virginia-based firm develops software to help clients like Boeing and the Green Bay Packers prioritize their decision-making. Forget steak knives -- successful sales people here get customized action figures of themselves. To keep people inspired, Decision Lens sponsors outings to off-site activities like racing Audis or the Hubble Space Telescope operations center for a special tour, not usually offered to the public. They also create a sense of ownership: fifty percent of new hires get stock options, and a performance bonus of 15% is achievable for every employee; the bonus has been paid ahead of time for the past three years.
Employee Perks: Bonuses, Free Snacks, Free Beverages, Mailing, Free Breakfast
3. The Virginia Spine Institute
Industry: Spine center
Location: Reston, VA
The Virginia Spine Institute is a 26,000-square-foot center for spinal healthcare in the Washington, D.C. metro area. To increase its reach in the local community, VSI has developed a formal volunteer program for employees, which encourages the entire staff to donate items and participate in events with the local YMCA, the public school system, little league teams and many other local charities. In 2010, the team at VSI contributed over 1,000 hours of community service. Recently, the Institute established a community education lecture series, to be conducted on a monthly basis throughout 2011 and feature physician-led topics that benefit the community. Employees say this dedication to community involvement strengthens ties between VSI staff and involves staff in the mission, vision and values of the facility.
Employee Perks: Onsite fitness facility, Pilates classes, personal training, and discounted on-site nutritionist and massage therapists
4. Chesapeake Urology Associates
Industry: Physician practice/ambulatory surgery center
Location: Central Maryland
Chesapeake Urology Associates is the largest urology practice in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region and boasts just a six percent turnover rate, well below the industry average. Employees say this is unsurprising considering the generous employee perks in addition to regular benefits. Employees who pitch ideas which are integrated into operations receive rewards. Offices which exceed patient expectations earn special breakfasts. Employees receive awards for milestone anniversaries with the organization.
Employee Perks: an annual Christmas bonus program and on-going training and development for staff
5. Arlington County
Industry: County Government
Location: Arlington, VA
Arlington County is committed to a workplace where individuals are valued, and where mutual respect and concern, self-worth, participation, financial and emotional rewards, and courtesy and sensitivity are acknowledged, encouraged and supported. The County encourages employees to practice healthy lifestyles and to assist in improving our local community's environment through reduction of traffic congestion and pollution. Arlington provides a healthy and happy work environment for its staff in many ways. County jobs can offer unparalleled benefits, both tangible and intangible.
Employee Perks: taxable incentive for those who use a non-motorized means of transportation for their entire work commute more than 50 percent of their workdays; commuting subsidy of $35 per month; Flexible hours, telecommuting and 4-day work weeks; The Arlington Children’s Centerprovides County employees at a discount; sponsored College Savings Plan for employees; membership with the Arlington Virginia Federal Credit Union; eligible to use County sports and fitness centers, and swimming pools at 50 percent of the citizen rate;Flexible Spending Accounts, health insurance, dental plan; Health Smart, the Employee Wellness program; The County offers grants to permanent employees to assist with purchasing or renting a primary residence in Arlington County; tuition reimbursement; life insurance; long term care insurance; retirement plan; andvacation, sick, holiday, parental, newborn, family medical, military, education, civil and jury duty, and disability leave
6. Henrico Doctors' Hospital
Industry: Hospital/health system
Location: Richmond, VA
The hospital has 540-beds and is part of the HCA Virginia Health System. "We are proud to bring a nationally recognized child care program to our employees," says Dave Williams, CEO of Henrico Doctors' Hospital. "This is part of our continuous efforts to provide family friendly programs that enhance work-life balance." For nurses, the hospital supports continuing education efforts in several specialty areas, including critical care and operating room, by providing. The hospital also believes in promoting excellence through professional and financial rewards.
Employee Perks: health, dental, and life insurance, complimentary fitness club memberships, massage therapy, yoga classes, phone service, discounts on hospital pharmacy and cafeteria purchases, Parham campus has a Children's Choice onsite child care center for hospital employees, clinic for employees' mildly ill children can come while sick so employees don't miss work, continuing education efforts, and tuition assistance programs
7. Inova Health System,
Industry: Hospital/health system
Location: Vienna, VA
Inova Health System is one of Northern Virginia's leading non-profit healthcare providers, serving more than 1 million patients every year. In 2008 — for the seventh year in a row — Inova was named one of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best companies for Working Mothers." In 2006, the National Association for Female Executives named Inova among the top 10 companies in the country for executive women, based on an annual survey that measures women's representation among top-paid and top-tier positions at America's largest companies.
Employee Perk: flextime, before- and after-school care, training through the Inova Leadership Institute and benefits for adoptive parents, scholarships and tuition assistance for employees, awards for employees' children who plan to pursue post-secondary education in college and vocational programs, Inova Learning Network offers on-going classes in various hospital fields, Fairfield County's Magnet Housing Rental Program provides convenient housing for qualified applicants
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