As the traditional 9-to-5 office environment dissolves and employees seek greater flexibility and enrichment in their careers, many U.S. companies have been increasingly open to the new changes, further welcoming an ever-widening pool of diverse – and dynamic – talent with new, unconventional ambitions.
One of those standout companies is OMRON Healthcare, located in Lake Forest, Illinois.
This month, the National Association for Business Resources awarded OMRON Healthcare the prestigious Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® accolade, citing the company’s dedication to workplace innovation as the reason for its decision. With many companies placing greater emphasis on career development, cultural diversity and work/life integration, being recognized as one of the best and brightest was no easy feat.
A Tough Competition
Each year, companies throughout Chicagoland compete for the title of “Best and Brightest”. An independent research firm evaluates each company’s entry based on several key categories:
- Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions
- Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention
- Employee Education and Development
- Recruitment, Selection and Orientation
- Employee Achievement and Recognition
- Communication and Shared Vision
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Work/Life Balance
- Community Initiatives
- Strategic Company Performance
The winning companies have additional opportunities to compete for elite awards, one granted for each category, along with the chance to become “Best of the Best Overall.”
As the world becomes more “hyper-connected” and organizations are compelled to adapt quickly, the National Association for Business Resources has adjusted its award criteria to fit the updated standards, according to Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of Best and Brightest Programs.
“Now with the war on talent hitting the door steps of the Best and Brightest, this achievement means even more than a year ago,” said Kluge. “As we continue to raise the bar, these companies rise to the challenge through their cultural innovation by maximizing their workforce potential.”
Facing the Challenge
OMRON Healthcare’s placement in this distinguished class of cutting-edge companies was a collaborative effort of its upper-management and Human Resources teams, who have placed greater emphasis on establishing flexibility in the workplace among many other new practices, according to Courtney Heimann, Senior Human Resources Generalist at OMRON.
“Over the past few years, we have instituted a work-from-home policy, summer hours and compressed work weeks, we always celebrate work anniversaries, and we participate in numerous community service events throughout the year,” said Heimann. “These adjustments may seem negligible, but they are hugely valuable in ensuring our team remains engaged and fulfilled. We are extremely happy to be recognized with this year’s Best and Brightest award.”
Ranndy Kellogg, President and CEO of OMRON Healthcare, said keeping the vision and mission of the company top-of-mind has been an important factor in talent retention and engagement.
“OMRON Healthcare’s mission of going for zero heart attacks and strokes guides our business decisions each day, and is communicated to our teams regularly through our newsletters and special events,” said Kellogg. “We put a premium on ensuring our team understands our purpose. We’re helping to save lives, which is a major endeavor. Being part of an innovative team that is helping contribute to a better society is not only fulfilling, but it’s very exciting.”
OMRON Healthcare will officially accept their award in September at the 2019 Best and Brightest Awards Gala, where all companies selected will be honored, and elite winners will be announced.
“We’re very proud to accept this award,” said Kellogg. “Our company is committed to continuous improvement and investment in our people, and will strive to keep that momentum going.”