In the competitive landscape of Northern Virginia’s job market, businesses realize that their edge lies in their products or services and in cultivating a robust company culture.
The Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) recognizes this through the Annual CARE Awards, celebrating companies that excel in creating an extraordinary work environment. This blog will delve into the 2023 winners, their innovative practices, and the significant impact these have on employees, their families, and the community.
Best Practices from CARE Award Winners:
- Community Engagement
- Open Communication
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Flexible Work Environment
- Employee Development
- Employee Well-being and Development
2023’s CARE Award winners have set remarkable examples in these areas.
Let’s explore their initiatives:
Workplace & Culture
A vibrant and supportive workplace draws in skilled individuals and enhances their engagement and productivity levels. Such an environment bolsters commitment to the organizational vision and promotes cooperation in setting and achieving goals and upholding ethical standards. It creates a cohesive team environment conducive to innovation and success.
- FranConnect: Prioritizes family with a flexible, hybrid work environment.
- FlexProfessionals: Offers untracked leave, fostering team support.
- ENSCO: Connects decentralized teams through various events.
- NRUCFC: Introduces the CEO Excellence Award, enhancing employee recognition.
- Eleccion: Begins meetings with emotional, physical, and spiritual check-ins.
- Fors Marsh: Provides unlimited paid time off for mental health and well-being.
- Highlight Technologies: Empowers employees in decision-making as a 100% employee-owned company
- Evans Consulting: Implements a Core Competency Behavior Model aligned with company values.
- FMP Consulting: Assigns a “New Hire Ambassador” for comprehensive onboarding.
Employee Empowerment & Talent Development
Establishing a workplace where every voice is valued and growth opportunities are evident is vital to organizational success. This approach motivates employees to excel, resulting in heightened personal performance, improved operational efficiency, and deeper engagement with the company.
- NRECA: Develops employee-led affinity groups, promoting inclusivity.
- Apple Federal Credit Union: Created Employee Resource Groups for its DEI commitment.
- Dev Technology: Empowers employees with transparent career paths.
- NetImpact Strategies Inc.: Assists employees in obtaining industry
certifications through their “Earn That Cert” program. - Comstock: Offers professional development reimbursement funds.
Employee Wellness
Focusing on employee health and happiness is a strategic investment that empowers them to reach their fullest potential.
- Consumer Technology Association: Matches charitable contributions and provides paid volunteering leave.
- Custom Ink: Makes surprise donations for charitable orders.
- Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center: Focuses on diversity and local community support.
- Business Benefits Group: Involves community in charitable activities.
- Worldgate, LLC: Offers paid volunteering hours and charitable gift cards for employees.
Insights from NVFS’ Work Environment
NVFS emphasizes the simplicity yet profound impact of family-friendly policies. NVFS’ philosophy is employee-centric and applies an equity lens to support employees through various dimensions of well-being. Flexibility, talent development, and mental health are among top priorities.
Here are some critical ingredients for an award-winning corporate culture.
- The Link Between Volunteerism and Corporate Culture:
Volunteerism is crucial to job satisfaction and employee engagement. It fosters loyalty and positively impacts family life and community involvement. - Open Communication and Corporate Culture: Fostering a culture of mutual respect and open communication within the workplace enhances team dynamics and drives innovative solutions, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
- A Diverse and Inclusive Work Environment: Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but crucial elements in a company’s growth and morale.
- A Flexible Work Environment: Family-friendly policies lead to a happier workforce, promoting a sense of belonging and respect, thereby improving productivity.
- Employee Development and Well-being: NVFS prioritizes employee growth and development, believing it’s key to a thriving corporate culture.
NVFS welcomes the opportunity to connect with you to discuss how we can help advance your company’s corporate responsibility goals. As experts in purpose-driven partnerships, NVFS works with companies big and small to create customized engagement opportunities that advance your company’s strategic objectives. Please email Sara Kreitzer at skreitzer@nvfs.org to learn how to collaborate to make an impact.
A Roadmap to Outstanding Corporate Culture
The CARE Awards provide a blueprint for creating a nurturing and thriving corporate culture. They reinforce that employee engagement and well-being are integral to community engagement. Establishing an exceptional corporate culture invests in the organization’s future, employees, and community. NVFS proudly leads this initiative, enhancing our region’s work and living environments.