Hill+Knowlton Strategies U.S. Receives WorldatWork Work-Life 2016 Seal of Distinction
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2016 — Human resources association and authority WorldatWork today announced Hill+Knowlton Strategies U.S. has earned its Work-Life Seal of Distinction for 2016, recognizing employers that demonstrate leadership in creating a culture that supports employees at work and at home.
Begun in 2012, the prestigious Seal of Distinction measures the overall strength of organizations’ work-life portfolio and success in creating positive work environments. Applicants are evaluated on work-life programs, policies and practices that meet the needs and challenges facing employees today, in categories that include: caring for dependents; health and wellness; flexibility; financial support and education; paid and unpaid time off; community involvement; and workforce experience and engagement.
The H+K U.S. approach to work-life blend centers on a far-reaching set of policy commitments to its people — H+K Inside and H+K Outside — meant to help employees grow, shine and connect inside H+K walls, and to support who they are and what’s important to them outside H+K walls. H+K Inside covers programs such as training, mentoring, recognizing and rewarding strong performance, and opportunities to explore other offices. H+K Outside elements include fitness reimbursements, telecommuting, sabbaticals and a jump-start on major holidays. One of the most notable is the H+K Outside: Kids commitment, which includes a policy for fully paid parental leave with the birth or adoption of a child of 16 weeks for birth moms, and 10 weeks for all other parents, none of which comes from sick leave or vacation time.
“In the year since we implemented our H+K Inside and H+K Outside work-life blending policies, and made them central to our culture, we saw double-digit jumps in the rate of employees who would recommend Hill+Knowlton Strategies as a good place to work, feel valued as employees and are proud to work here, and a several-digit jump in employee retention,” said Mike Coates, president and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Americas. “We’re already enjoying the business impact of fostering the kind of culture that WorldatWork promotes, so earning its Work-Life Seal of Distinction is simply one more reason to celebrate.”
This year’s recipients represent industries of education, finance, government, health, law, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, including such organizations as Northrup Grumman Corporation, Caterpillar Inc., Johns Hopkins University & Health System, Dell Inc. and Monsanto.
“We congratulate our 2016 recipients who represent a wide variety of industries, demonstrating that enhancing employee engagement and work-life effectiveness is a business imperative for organizations of all sizes and strengths,” said Anne Ruddy, president and CEO of WorldatWork. “These organizations are the pinnacle of excellence in workplace strategies that enhance employees’ lives. By understanding the value of investing in their employees, each organization has taken a critical step toward future business success.”
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About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 87 offices in 49 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. Learn more at www.hkstrategies.com.
About WorldatWork®
The Total Rewards Association
WorldatWork (www.worldatwork.org) is a nonprofit human resources association for professionals and organizations focused on total rewards strategies. Comprehensive total rewards strategies are designed to attract, motivate, engage and retain a productive workforce and ultimately, enhance organizational results. Professionals engaged in compensation, benefits, work-life effectiveness and total rewards turn to WorldatWork as their leading professional association. WorldatWork and its affiliates provide comprehensive education, certification, research, advocacy and community for members and the broader total rewards community. WorldatWork has more than 70,000 members and subscribers worldwide; over 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies employ a WorldatWork member. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork is affiliated with more than 70 local human resources associations and has offices in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Washington, D.C.