Elon honored as “Family Friendly” employer

Elon University was among eight area companies honored by local nonprofits this month as Alamance County Family Friendly Employers.

The Alamance County Human Resource Association, the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce and the Alamance Partnership for Children created the award program through a joint effort.

To qualify as a Family Friendly Employer, companies were evaluated in several categories, including family and dependent care; work schedule flexibility; family health and wellness; financial and educational assistance; and community involvement.

Some of the programs currently offered by 2008 honorees include inclement weather childcare, flexible work schedules, gym memberships, childcare assistance and scholarships for dependents.

Elon is part of a growing number of companies that are reaping the rewards of family friendly policies. Along with higher productivity and reduced absenteeism, employers with family friendly policies benefit from higher retention rates.

With the pool of talented workers shrinking every year due to the retirement of the Baby Boomers, companies must find alternate ways to hire and retain key employees. 

The following organizations also received awards on Feb. 5 at The Cutting Board in Burlington during a luncheon: Acucote Inc., Alamance Regional Medical Center, Burlington Housing Authority, Carolina Biological Supply Company, Laboratory Corporation of America, Sports Endeavors and Wachovia.