DETROIT, August 24, 2009 – The current recession – considered one of the worst since the Great Depression in the 1930s – is proving to be a “game changer” for organizations in all sectors of the economy. A study conducted by the Families and Work Institute in May 2009 found that most companies (81%) are maintaining the workplace flexibility they offer during the recession and another 13% are increasing it. The question remains: to what extent are employers able to continue be good places for employees to work while dealing with these very difficult business survival issues?
The winners of the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility offer a unique picture of organizations that are finding this middle ground. “From new forms of flexible work arrangements that minimize lay-offs, to creative cost-cutting that retains core medical benefits, to providing financial information and support to employees, these employers are braving the economic storm through innovative policies that prevent undue shock to their workplaces and their employees,” said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute.
The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, to be presented locally by Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan Economic Development Corporation at an event on Friday, September, 11, 2009, will recognize organizations that are striving to find new ways to make work “work” in today’s difficult economy. These prestigious national awards honor organizations of all sizes and all types from Michigan and across the country that are using workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results.
Local winners of the 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility are:
Albert Kahn Family of Companies
Detroit Regional Chamber
Brown and Brown of Detroit
KPMG, LLP
Ernst & Young
Menlo Innovations LLC
BDO Seidman LLP
Employees Only
Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Altair Engineering
Michigan Health & Hospital Association
Public Policy Associates, Inc.
Motion Marketing & Media
Regal Financial Group
Frank, Haron, Weiner & Navarro P.L.C.
Services Express, Inc.
Valassis
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Motawi Tileworks, Inc.
National Multiple Scierosis Society, Michigan Chapter
Peckham Inc.
Farbman Group
Dynamic Edge, Inc.
Plex Systems, Inc.
Ryan Inc.
Visteon Corporation
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP – Southfield Office
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP – Grand Rapids Office
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP – Muskegon Office
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP – Holland Office
Michigan Civil Service Commission
Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
“We are excited to recognize these exemplary employers in our business community,” said Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer, Detroit Regional Chamber. “Their ability to maintain progressive workplaces that allows flexibility for their employees is to be applauded particularly in the current economic environment we are facing in Michigan.”
The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility are part of the When Work Works project, an ongoing initiative of Families and Work Institute, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce (an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce), and the Twiga Foundation. Through When Work Works, these partner organizations provide research, resources, and recognition to employers nationwide. The project shares the results of research on creating effective and flexible workplaces that meet the needs of the 21st century.
Each of the 2009 Sloan Award winners will also be recognized nationally and will be featured in next year’s edition of the Guide to Bold New Ideas for Making Work Work, published by Families and Work Institute.
The state of Michigan is one of 30 select communities nationwide chosen to host and participate in the When Work Works initiative, with the Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan Economic Development Corporation leading the local initiative in Michigan. Other communities participating in 2009 are: Arizona (statewide); Atlanta, GA; Aurora, CO; Birmingham, AL; Boise, ID; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Dayton, OH; Durham, NC; Houston, TX; Kentucky (statewide); Long Beach, CA; Long Island, NY; Louisville, KY; Manchester, NH; Melbourne-Palm Bay, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Morris County, NJ; Providence, RI; Richmond, VA; Rochester, MN; Salt Lake City, UT; Savannah, GA; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; Twin Cities and St. Cloud, MN; and Winona, MN.
For more information about When Work Works or the Alfred P. Sloan Awards, please contact Tyler Wigton at (212) 465-2044 x 224 or twigton@familiesandwork.org or Kelly Sakai at (212) 465-2044 x 211 and at ksakai@familiesandwork.org.
About the Detroit Regional Chamber
With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com.
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on the MEDC’s initiatives and programs, visit the Web site at www.TheMEDC.org.
About the Families and Work Institute
Families and Work Institute (FWI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies the changing workforce, family and community. As a preeminent think tank, FWI is known for being ahead of the curve, identifying emerging issues, and then conducting rigorous research that often challenges common wisdom and provides insight and knowledge. As an action tank, FWI conducts numerous studies that put its research into action and then evaluates the results. Its purpose is to create research to live by. For more information, see www.familiesandwork.org.
About the Institute for a Competitive Workforce
The Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) is a 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is working to ensure that businesses have access—today and tomorrow—to an educated and skilled workforce. ICW’s primary responsibilities for the When Work Works project are to provide support to the communities and connect local initiatives to national Chamber efforts. For more information, visit www.uschamber.com/icw.
About the TWIGA Foundation
The Twiga Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, promoting and maintaining a family consciousness at home, in the workplace and in the community. Twiga’s primary responsibilities for the When Work Works project are to provide support to the communities,.acting as a liaison to key stakeholders in the When Work Works communities to build a broad local leadership constituency for creating better workplaces that meet the needs of employees, employers and communities. For more information, visit www.twigafoundation.org.
