2010 Award Winners
Midland Engineering Company, established in 1922, is a construction company specializing in sheet metal, slate and tile roofing, masonry restoration, and waterproofing. Midland subcontracts for various clients in multiple states, providing expertise for commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental buildings.
Some of Midland’s most recognizable local accomplishments include the Sacred Heart Basilica and the Main Administration Building at the University of Notre Dame, as well as The South Bend Tribune building. They are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to their employees. Even in today’s tight economy, Midland Engineering Company provides 100% of the cost for healthcare and “require” vacation time so that employees return to work rejuvenated. They also subsidize the cost of job related education, reimbursing the employee 100% for an “A” grade, 80% for a “B” grade, and so on.
The company has a practically non-existent turnover rate. Student researchers noted that the closeness of the employees showed when an employee interrupted their interview with CFO, Mr. Mike Frahn, in order to return a cake pan he had borrowed from his boss for a birthday.
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Salon Nouveau is a local salon and spa that uses and sells environmentally friendly products. They promote environmentally sound practices throughout their business. Salon Nouveau provides many family friendly benefits to their employees who include: Flexible Work Arrangements, Part-Time Work, Disability Leave, Personal Leave, Educational Opportunities and Corporate Giving to Community and National Work-Family Initiatives. In an industry in which benefits are not typically offered, the employees appreciate these benefits and as a result Salon Nouveau has great staff retention.
As an organization Salon Nouveau gives back to the community by participating in events such as Cut-A-Thons, Secret Sisters, and Christmas Commandos. They also assist the American Cancer Society as “Look Good Feel Better” volunteers by shaping, cutting or styling wigs and shave heads for cancer patients at no charge.
Whether it’s using soy ink or recycled paper, Salon Nouveau is determined to model care for the environment we share. They are honored for that commitment as well as their commitment to family values in the work place as they celebrate their 20th anniversary.
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Goodwill Industries of Michiana provides jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment. Began in 1936 in St. Joseph County, Goodwill currently employs over 560 people. Goodwill promotes a family-friendly atmosphere through commonly offered benefits of group health insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. These commonly offered benefits are understood and utilized by the employees as well as the management. Beyond that, Goodwill offers flextime, part-time work and puts forth effort when referring employees to child care resources. They encourage the use of sick days to care for sick children or emergencies that arise at home. In addition, unpaid leaves are available to attend a child’s school events as well as unpaid leaves to attend to other personal matters.
Goodwill subsidizes the cost of health benefits, job related training, and also supports individuals seeking to adopt a child. Employee Assistance Programs and work-family seminars are available.
The utter enthusiasm of the Goodwill employees appears to stem from their warm and friendly work environment and several unique programs. First, Goodwill has a Smoking Cessation Program and if participants remain smoke-free for six months their picture will be placed on the “Smoke Free” wall. Second, Goodwill has a program called FISH which is organized entirely by employees with a goal of continually improving work ethics. Student researchers summarized: “With the multiple unique programs and benefits that Goodwill implements, employees develop not only as a better worker, but also as a better human being and family member.”
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Hoosier Spring Co., Inc. manufactures a wide variety of precision springs for aerospace, nuclear and industrial applications. Given the highly specialized skill required in the manufacturing of springs, the company seeks to retain its human talent by helping its employees juggle work and family life and they have been successful in this as the company’s turnover rate is nearly nonexistent. Long-term disability is 100 percent paid by the employer.
Flextime, part time, and telecommuting are offered as well as paid personal leave time to attend child school events and other personal matters. The company offers financial assistance programs such as Health Savings Accounts and the subsidization of health benefits and job related training or education costs. Most recently the company absorbed the Health Insurance increase rather than passing that cost on to our employees.
The family atmosphere at Hoosier Spring was very obvious to our student reporters who summarized, “We certainly got the impression that this was a business run by families for families.” They quoted Mr. Bajdek, an expediter who has been employed by Hoosier Springs for thirty years, “The family ties here and just the family warmth that management shows you is unheard of. You’re not treated as a number here; you’re treated as a family member as soon as you’re hired.”