EANJ Members Recognized as Exceptional Employers
Jun 2006
(Livingston, NJ) Four New Jersey employers have been recognized for exceptional workplace practices by the Employers Association of New Jersey (EANJ). Established in 1916, EANJ has strived to apply the collective experience of its 1,000-plus membership to help employers make sound and responsible employment decisions. The Harold R. Hawkey Exceptional Employer Awards are an outgrowth of the association's work which encourage excellence and replication of best workplace practices.
The 2006 award recipients for the Exceptional Employer Award are: EASTERN PROPANE, ADVANCED HEALTH MEDIA, CSAV AGENCY LLC and HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.
Eastern Propane is one of the nation’s largest family-owned, full-service propane companies and has been providing customers with dependable propane delivery and service since 1938. Through numerous, and yet fairly inexpensive, programs such as Employee Appreciation Days, Annual Award Celebrations, Community Involvement and Charitable Giving the company has been able to express sincere employee appreciation and foster mutual loyalty between employer and employee. One of their most notable programs is their “Customer & Employee Recognition Program” through which employees’ are recognized for special performance with awards to be used at an Eastern Propane Customer’s establishment of their choice. While being a wonderful way to recognize employees for their efforts it also supports customer’s businesses and translates into both employee and customer loyalty. Additional benefits of such efforts include low turnover, longevity of service with over 25% of the staff having been with the company for 10 years or longer, and community and industry respect.
Advanced Health Media provides a fully-integrated suite of hosted technology solutions and sales support services designed to meet the diverse operational and compliance management needs of their clients in the pharmaceutical industry. They have found that teamwork is critical in serving their clients and have implemented key practices to create an environment that supports teamwork throughout the organization. Employee recognition is based on the work of the entire team; high performance training and development focuses on team’s behavioral styles, roles and responsibilities to help employees become highly functional as a team; and joint accountability for all client teams ensures client satisfaction. Never saying “it’s not my job” is a creed instilled in all employees as everyone shares accountability. Results of this culture has allowed Advanced Health Media to more then double gross revenues mostly through word-of-mouth references from highly satisfied clients whose needs are exceeded through the teamwork of the employees.
CSAV Agency LLC is a maritime shipping company which offers comprehensive service for general and bulk cargo, fresh and frozen products and vehicles using both owned and chartered vessels. When they launched their first employee Climate Survey in 2004 the results were dismal, although not unexpected, in the areas of feeling valued and employee equity. Senior management followed up the survey with employee feedback meetings where suggestions were solicited and action plans designed. Among a few of the employee suggestion were timely performance reviews, opportunities for advancement though internal job postings, equitable training plans for both functional and developmental training, tuition reimbursement, improved work areas, coaching from managers and more explanatory information regarding benefits. With buy in from top executives the company was able to implement most of the suggestions and as a result saw a dramatic increase in the 2005 Climate Survey. Acting on the employee feedback has helped them improve employee morale, reduce voluntary turnover by 52% over a one year period and ensure employees that they are valued and appreciated.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the largest health insurer in the state with more then 4,500 employees serving over 3.2 million customers. Its mission of providing access to high-quality, cost-effective health care delivery systems, insurance and related products and services transcends its relationship with its clients to include keeping employees healthy and productive. With the establishment of the Wellness in Employment, Life and Learning (WELL) Program in 2005 they were able to enhance employees’ work life balance through offerings such as employee discounts, daycare and backup daycare, fitness centers, on-site health centers, eldercare, lactation rooms and adoption and childcare referral assistance. A reduction in unscheduled absence and increase in productivity can be directly tied to the utilization of WELL Program resources. Over 90% of the employees who visit the on-site health center return to work the same day. By helping employees in balancing their personal and professional lives, Horizon has reaped the added benefits of reduced healthcare expenses, increased efficiency and a satisfied healthier workforce.
