Best Places To Work program gets under way

    AUGUSTA – Following up on a successful inaugural year, the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Maine State Council has announced the launch of the second annual Best Places To Work in Maine program. The event, presented in conjunction with the Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor, JobsInME.com, Employment Times and Mainebiz, recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments.
    The second year of The Best Places program marks the next step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence throughout all Maine companies.
    “We were very pleased with the first phase of the program,” said Laura Fortman, commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. “Programs such as these will help attract talented employees who will want to remain with these companies. It’s really an integral part of Maine’s strategy to compete in the global business marketplace.”
    The assessment process, administered by the Best Companies Group and Modern Think LLC, will be conducted in early June to all registered companies in Maine. The results of the scientifically validated survey will incorporate a company’s employee policies and procedures as well as responses from the company’s employees.
    Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci also praised the goals and initiatives of the Best Places To Work program.
    “A healthy, vibrant economy starts with a healthy workplace,” Baldacci said. “The Best Places to Work program not only recognizes those businesses which excel in this critical area, but also provides guidance and encouragement to those workplaces which are striving for that level of excellence.”
    The program also helps companies on a firsthand basis by presenting an “Assessment Findings Report” to each participating company, which provides significant benchmarks and helps that company enhance, maintain or improve policies and procedures in its workplace.
    “That’s another positive outcome of the program,” noted Dana Connors, president of the State Chamber of Commerce.  “Every company that takes part gets objective feedback on ways they can improve their workplace in any number of areas.”
    Winners of the first Best Places to Work in Maine in 2006 came from companies ranging from Portland to Presque Isle. They included Disability RMS in Westbrook (large company category), MMG Insurance of Presque Isle (medium category) and Portland’s Verrill Dana, Attorneys at Law (medium category).
    “We were grateful to be included on the Best Places list of finalists,” said Verrill Dana Managing Partner David E. Warren, “and we are even more honored to be ranked as the Number One Best Place to Work in Maine in the medium-size company category.  I’d like to thank our lawyers and staff for their enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. They, individually and collectively, enable us to provide superior client service in a workplace environment that fosters teamwork, deep community involvement and an enhanced quality of life.”
    Any company with at least 15 employees in the state of Maine is encouraged to participate. Companies selected as a Best Place to Work in Maine will be announced at a gala event in the fall of 2007. A complete list of top companies will be featured in a statewide publication. Winners can expect increased press visibility, not to mention a positive effect on employee morale, employee relations and recruitment.
    Interested companies can apply to participate in the program online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com.  The deadline for registration is May 25, and all registered companies will be surveyed simultaneously following the deadline date.
    Further details about the Best Places to Work in Maine program can be found online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com.